FR2653356A1 - Device for dehydration of air with deliquescent desiccator product cartridges - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for dehydration of air, with removable and/or refillable cartridges (1) of deliquescent desiccator product containing deliquescent desiccator product (2) - especially flakes of calcium chloride - which flows out of the cartridge during use, such that the dehydration means (1, 2) are consumed as the device is used and can be renewed by full cartridges of fresh solid deliquescent desiccator product and/or refilled with fresh solid deliquescent desiccator product when the latter is spent. The cartridges (1) extend vertically, and the air flow passes through them horizontally.

Description

The invention relates to an air dehydration device including dehydration means enclosing a desiccant product through which the air to be dehydrated. More particularly, the invention relates to an autonomous air dehydration device, that is to say alone capable of adequately ensuring the dehydration of the air contained in a closed volume, its homogenization, and more precisely the humidity control inside this closed volume.

Air dehydration devices are already known which are used in particular with air conditioning installations for buildings, or for drying the air in the conduits of the pneumatic control circuits of vehicles, machines, etc.

Such devices are for the most part extremely complex and expensive and generally use a non-deliquescent desiccant product which in a phase of use absorbs moisture from the air, then is regenerated in a later phase by means of a heat treatment. These known devices are bulky, bulky, and incorporate accessories for controlling particularly complex regeneration and use cycles. In particular, such known devices are not applicable for protecting objects during their transport or their storage, that is to say in the technical field of packaging. Indeed, they are too bulky, and above all too expensive. In addition, their technical characteristics are not suitable for such uses in which it is not necessary to have a dehydration device operating continuously over a very long period of time. Indeed, in the field of packaging and conditioning, the dehydration of the air is only carried out during the packaging of the object itself, or, if necessary, during its transport and its storage.

Furthermore, the use of deliquescent desiccants such as calcium chloride is already known for dehydrating the air.

For example, French patent application 2 502 025 describes a container containing calcium chloride through which air is circulated. This document aims in particular to remedy the known drawbacks of calcium chloride which are: formation of dust, solidification, and flow of the saturated liquid. This document therefore describes a device comprising a container containing in particular calcium chloride and connected to a fan. When the calcium chloride is used up, the device should be changed.

For this reason alone, such a device has not had commercial success. In addition, the drawbacks inherent in the above-mentioned calcium chloride are not in practice effectively overcome by the various arrangements provided in the prior art.

The general object of the invention is therefore to propose an air dehydration device incorporating a deliquescent desiccant product such as calcium chloride, without regeneration of said deliquescent desiccant product, but which can, at low cost and quickly, be refilled with product deliquescent desiccator.

More particularly, the object of the invention is to propose a device for dehydrating air with forced circulation, that is to say in which the air circulates by forming an air current between a humid air inlet and a dehydrated air outlet, which incorporates a deliquescent desiccant such as calcium chloride, and which can be recharged at low cost and quickly.

The object of the invention is also to propose such a device which optimizes the efficiency of the dehydration of air by the deliquescent desiccant product, that is to say which provides in the minimum possible time the most thorough dehydration possible the largest possible air volume, and this with the smallest possible size of the device. Thus, the invention aims to propose a device capable of dehydrating a volume of air, that is to say of lowering the humidity thereof below a predetermined value, per unit of time, and with a given size. of the device, more important than that treated by the previous devices.

Also, the invention aims to propose such a device which signals the need for a maintenance operation. The invention also aims to propose such a device which automatically recharges itself with a deliquescent desiccant product when the need arises.

More particularly, the invention aims to propose a device for dehydrating air with forced circulation which can be used in a method of protection - in particular packaging - of an object with a view to its transport or its storage, ie that is to say which can have independent and autonomous operation, and which has a space requirement, a cost price, and a very low cost of use. The invention also aims to provide such a device which can be easily installed on a means of transport container, or inside a cover, and which is robust and reliable.

To do this, the invention relates to an air dehydration device including dehydration means containing a desiccant product traversed by a stream of air to be dehydrated, characterized in that the dehydration means consist of at least one cartridge removable and refillable toy containing desiccant desiccant initially in the solid state, in particular calcium chloride, which liquefies and flows during use, so that the means of dehydration are consumed as and when use of the device and can be renewed by cartridges full of new deliquescent desiccant product and / or refilled with product, when the initial deliquescent desiccant product is exhausted. Also, the invention relates to an air dehydration device characterized in that the dehydration means consist of at least one refillable cartridge containing desiccant deliquescent erector, in particular calcium chloride, which flows out of the cartridge during use, so that the dehydration means are consumed as the device is used and can be refilled with desiccant deliquescent when the deliquescent desiccant product is used up. The dehydration means according to the invention therefore consist of at least one removable and / or refillable cartridge, and it is not necessary to dismantle or replace the entire device when the deliquescent desiccant product is exhausted. the use of the device, the deliquescent desiccant product which is generally in the form of solid flakes is consumed by liquefying and flowing outside the device or in a recovery enclosure, and the cartridge itself empties . When this cartridge is empty, it is replaced when it is removable and / or it is refilled with new solid flakes of deliquescent desiccant.

The invention also relates to an air dehydration device including dehydration means containing a desiccant product traversed by a stream of dehydration air, characterized in that each cartridge is in the form of a thick plate enclosing the desiccant desiccant product, perforated for the passage of air through it in a direction at least substantially normal to its main plane, the air current being forced through the cartridge in this direction at least substantially normal to the main plane of the thick plate forming the cartridge . The air does not therefore cross the cartridge in a longitudinal direction, but on the contrary in a Xranserval direction, according to its thickness. On the other hand, the air current is formed upstream of the cartridge to come to cross it on all the surface of the thick plate it forms.

The invention also relates to an air dehydration device with cartridges of deliquescent desiccant product, and with air accelerator means forming a stream of air passing through the cartridges, characterized in that each cartridge extends generally vertically, is crossed by the air stream flowing generally horizontally and in that it comprises at least one enclosure for recovering the liquids flowing from each cartridge vertically under the effect of gravity during the use of the device. The liquids which flow from each cartridge consist on the one hand of the deliquescent desiccant product which has liquefied, and on the other hand of the water absorbed during the dehydration of the air current which crosses said product. According to the invention, each cartridge has a perforated bottom wall opening onto the recovery enclosure. According to the invention, each cartridge has its own recovery enclosure disposed at the bottom of said cartridge, or the device comprises a recovery enclosure common for all the cartridges. A recovery enclosure according to the invention is arranged below the cartridge (s).

The device according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises means for detecting the level of liquid in each recovery enclosure, these detection means triggering an external alarm and / or the automatic emptying of the enclosure by means of appropriate emptying.

The invention also relates to an air dehydration device with cartridges of deliquescent desiccant product and with air accelerator means characterized in that it comprises at least one cartridge upstream of the air accelerator means, and at least one cartridge downstream of the air accelerator means. According to the invention, the device comprises, from upstream to downstream in the direction of the air flow passing through it, a humid air inlet, an upstream cartridge, air accelerator means, a downstream cartridge, and a dehydrated air outlet. The air accelerator means consist of at least one fan or equivalent interposed between two upstream and respectively downstream cartridges. A rest chamber is provided immediately downstream of each fan and upstream of the downstream cartridge. A device according to the invention comprises a single fan, in particular of the centrifugal type, or a plurality of fans separated from each other by at least one deliquescent desiccant cartridge.

The invention also relates to an air dehydration device with deliquescent desiccant cartridge cartridges and air accelerator means, characterized in that it comprises at least one deflector for homogenizing the air stream upstream and / or in downstream of its passage in each cartridge, and / or at least one deflector for homogenizing the air flow upstream and / or downstream of the air accelerating means, and / or one deflector for homogenizing the air flow upstream of the dehydrated air outlet.

The invention also relates to an air dehydration device with deliquescent desiccant cartridge cartridges, characterized in that it comprises means for detecting the absence of deliquescent desiccant product in each cartridge triggering an external alarm and / or filling automatic desiccant cartridge cartridge by suitable automatic filling means. According to the invention, these means for detecting the absence of product consist of at least one light source placed to emit a light ray through the cartridge, and of a photoelectric cell placed opposite to the light source, to capture said ray as soon as it is not interrupted by the presence of an opaque deliquescent desiccant.The light source and the photocell are arranged so that the light ray extends according to the width of the cartridge , especially horizontally or diagonally in the case where the cartridge extends vertically.

The invention also relates to an air dehydration device with deliquescent desiccant cartridge cartridges characterized in that it comprises means for agitating the deliquescent desiccant product contained in each cartridge. These stirring means circulate the desiccant product at least substantially vertically and upwards, in the case where the cartridge extends vertically. The stirring means consist of at least one worm screw arranged in the thickness of the cartridge and driven in rotation by motorization means and specific transmission means. Each cartridge consists of a plurality of cells separated from each other by transverse walls, each cell having its own stirring means. The transverse walls separating the cells from each other are perforated to allow the passage of deliquescent desiccant product. and / or liquids from one cell to another during agitation, and the homogenization of the contents of the cells of the same cartridges with respect to each other. The different means of agitating the cells of the same cartridge are kinematically connected to each other and driven in rotation by means of the same motor means, the transmission means cooperating with only one of them. The stirring means specific to the different cartridges are all driven in rotation by the same motorization means and the same transmission means. The device according to the invention also comprises electronic control means and motorization means, and these means control electronics impose the operation of the stirring means as soon as and at least when the air accelerator means are themselves in operation. The electronic control means impose the operation of the stirring means for a certain time after the air accelerator means have stopped. The electronic control means trigger the operation of the stirring means at regular intervals for a certain time, when the air accelerator means do not operate.

The invention also relates to a dehydration device comprising, in combination, all or part of the characteristics mentioned above.

Among the advantages provided by the invention, in addition to the resolution of the problems mentioned above, the air dehydration device according to the invention is very particularly suitable for use in a method of protecting - in particular packaging - objects for their transport or storage, allows efficient and reliable use of calcium chloride in flakes as a deliquescent desiccant product, prevents it from becoming massaged and considerably increases the yield of dehydration.

Other characteristics and advantages will appear on reading the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which refers to the appended figures in which - Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment
production of a circulating air dehydration device
forced according to the invention.

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device
dehydration according to the invention shown in Figure I, the
different parts exploded in Figure 1 being assembled on the
figure 2.

- Figure 3 is a sectional view along a horizontal plane located
immediately above the cartridges of the device
air dehydration according to the invention shown in Figures 1 and
2.

- Figure 4 is a sectional view along a vertical plane located in
the thickness of the cartridges of an air dehydration device
according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view along line VV of the
Figure 4 of a desiccant cartridge of a
air dehydration according to the invention.

Figure 6 is a sectional view along a horizontal plane of a
second embodiment of a circulating air dehydrator
forced according to the invention.

Figure 7 is a sectional view along a vertical plane of the second
embodiment of a forced circulation air dehydrator
according to the invention shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a view along the line Vîli-Viji of Figure 6 of
air dehydration device according to the second mode of
embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 6 and 7.

Figure 9 is a sectional view along a vertical plane of a
third embodiment of a dehydration device
forced air according to the invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the operation of a
air dehydration device according to the invention.

The figure there is a diagram illustrating an embodiment
possible of an electronic fault detection circuit of a
air dehydration device according to the invention.

Figure 12 is a sectional view along a horizontal plane of a
fourth embodiment of a dehydration device
forced air according to the invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment
possible control circuit of the stirring means.

Figures I to 5 illustrate an air dehydration device according to a first embodiment of the invention. Figures 10 and it respectively illustrate the operation and an embodiment of the fault detection circuit of the air dehydration device according to this first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the invention. air represented in these figures includes means 1, 2 for dehydration containing a desiccant product traversed by a stream of air to be dehydrated, and is characterized in that these means 1, 2 for dehydration consist of at least one removable cartridge 1 containing deliquescent desiccant 2, in particular calcium chloride in the form of solid flakes, which flows out of the cartridge 1 when the device is used, so that the means 1, 2 of dehydration are consumed as and as the device is used by flowing the liquefied desiccant product 2 liquefied out of the cartridge 1, and can be renewed by ca rtouches 1 full of deliquescent desiccant 2 new in the form of solid flakes capable of dehydrating the air which comes into contact with them, and this as soon as deliquescent desiccant product 2 contained in said cartridge is used up and has completely flowed out of the housing 5 formed by the cartridge 1 to contain the product 2.

The outer walls of the housing 5, in particular of the cartridge 1, through which the air passes to pass through the product 2 are provided with perforations 3 suitable for the passage of this air. More specifically, these outer walls 6 are made up or covered with a net or a grid, the perforations or openings 3 of which are smaller than the average size of the product flakes 2. According to the preferred embodiment, the walls 6 have perforations 3 of dimensions equivalent to or greater than those of the flakes, and these walls 6 are lined on their internal face with a mesh with mesh smaller than the flakes. In addition, the wall 7 of the housing 5 containing the product 2 by which the product 2 in liquefied form flows out of the housing 5 is also provided with perforations 4 allowing the free passage of this product 2 in liquid form.

According to the invention, the device further comprises or is associated with means 8 air accelerators forming an air current between an inlet 9 of humid air and an outlet 10 of dehydrated air, and forcing the circulation of this air flow through the dehydration means 1, 2. The inlet 9 and outlet 10 can be connected to flexible tubes (not shown) coiled to take and restore the air from / into the volume of air to be treated. The device according to the invention is characterized in that each cartridge 1 is in the form of a thick plate containing the deliquescent desiccant product 2, a plate which is perforated for the passage of air through it in a direction at least substantially normal to its main plane of extension, the air flow being forced to through the cartridge 1 in this direction at least substantially normal to the cartridge 1.

In the device shown in Figures 1 to 5, each cartridge 1 extends generally vertically and is traversed by the air flow flowing generally horizontally. In addition, the device according to the invention comprises at least one enclosure 11 for recovering liquids flowing from each cartridge 1 vertically under the effect of gravity during the use of the device. To allow the product 2 to flow into the recovery enclosure 11, each cartridge 1 has a perforated bottom wall 7, provided with perforations 4, opening onto the recovery enclosure 11.

The perforated lower wall 7 is the lower wall of the housing 5 of the cartridge 1 containing and supporting the deliquescent desiccant product in the form of solid flakes. Two alternative embodiments illustrated respectively in Figures 1 and 2 and Figures 4 and 5 are possible in this regard. in the first variant shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cartridges 1 integrally form the housing 5. In this case, the perforated lower wall 7 of the housing 5 is also the lower wall of the cartridge 1. The latter rests on a wall lower horizontal 12 of the device, wall 12 which is itself provided with perforations at least opposite the lower wall 7 of the cartridges 1 to allow the liquid to flow out of cartridges i into the enclosure 11 located at the lower level. The perforated wall 12 therefore constitutes the upper horizontal wall of an enclosure II common to all the cartridges 1. Thus, in this variant, the device comprises an enclosure II of lower recovery common to all the cartridges 1. In the variant illustrated in the Figures 4 and 5, the housing 5 containing the product 2 does not constitute the entire volume of the cartridge 1. On the contrary, each cartridge 1 consists of the upper part of the housing 5 for the product 2r and the lower part of the enclosure II recovery, the housing 5 and the enclosure there being separated from each other by a perforated horizontal wall 7 through which the product 2 in liquid form can flow. In this variant, each cartridge 1 has its own recovery enclosure there at its lower part, and the horizontal lower wall 13 of each cartridge 1 which forms the lower or horizontal wall of the enclosure it rests on the horizontal lower wall 14 of the device In the first variant of FIGS. 1 and 2, when a cartridge 1 is changed, the desiccant product 2 is renewed, but it is also necessary to provide for the emptying of the recovery enclosure 11. This emptying can be carried out continuously and automatically if an outlet orifice is provided in the enclosure il, outlet orifice connected to a drain pipe. However, according to the invention, the device comprises means 15 for detecting the level of liquid in each recovery enclosure 11, detection means 15 which trigger an external alarm and / or the emptying of the enclosure there automatically. detection can simply consist of an electronic level gauge which acts on draining means (solenoid valves, pumps, ...) or which triggers an external alarm signaling to the user that it is necessary to manually drain the enclosure 11. In the second variant, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when a cartridge 1 is changed, not only the desiccant product 2 is changed, but also the enclosure 11 located at the bottom of the cartridge l, with the spent liquefied desiccant product. In this case, the emptying is in fact done with the change of the cartridge 1. It is therefore understood that the relative dimensions of the housing 5 and of the enclosure 11 must be a adapted to each other so that all of the new desiccant desiccant product in flakes contained in the housing 5 can be recovered in liquid form in the enclosure 11.

The device according to the invention comprises at least one cartridge 1 of desiccant product upstream (relative to the direction of the air flow) of the air accelerator means 8, and at least one cartridge 1 of desiccant desiccant product downstream of the means 8 air accelerators. The device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises from upstream to downstream in the direction of the air flow passing through it, an inlet 9 for humid air, a cartridge upstream, means 8 for air accelerators, a downstream cartridge 1b, and an outlet 10 for dehydrated air. The air accelerator means 8 consist of at least one fan 8 interposed between two cartridges upstream, respectively lb downstream. A rest chamber 16 is provided immediately downstream of each fan 8 and upstream of the cartridge lb downstream. In this rest chamber 16, the air stream at the outlet of the fan 8 is homogenized from the point of view of residential humidity and turbulence in particular. The device shown in Figures 1 to 3 comprises a single fan, which is of the centrifugal type.

Furthermore, the air dehydration device according to the invention comprises at least one deflector 17 for homogenizing the air stream upstream and / or downstream of its passage in each cartridge I, and / or upstream and / or downstream of the air accelerator means 8, and / or upstream of the outlet 10 for the dehydrated air. The deflectors 17 have the function of homogenizing the air flow coming from the inlet 9 or from the fan 8 over the entire cross-section of the cartridge so that the air flow crosses this cartridge while passing through all the surface of the outer walls 6 of the cartridge 1. This is why at least one such deflector 17 is provided upstream and downstream of each cartridge 1.On the device shown in the figures, a deflector 17a is provided between the inlet 9 and the upstream cartridge 1a, a deflector 17b downstream of the upstream cartridge 1a and upstream of the fan 8, a deflector 17c downstream of the rest chamber 16, that is to say downstream of the fan 8, and in upstream of the downstream cartridge 1b, and a deflector 17d downstream of the downstream cartridge 1b and upstream of the outlet 10. Each deflector consists of a plate 18 which extends vertically transversely, that is to say perpendicularly in the direction of the air flow, opposite the passage orifice 19 formed through a corresponding vertical separation wall 20, 21, to which said vertical plate 18 of the deflector 17 is associated by virtue of two longitudinal vertical plates 22 which keep the transverse vertical plate 18 at a distance from said wall 20, 21 The transverse vertical plate 18 prevents the air current from entering directly into the orifice 19. This air current is therefore deflected by the transverse vertical plate 18 to pass through the orifices 23 left free between the transverse vertical plate 18 and the wall 20, 21. In the case described where the plates 22 connecting the transverse vertical plate 18 to the walls 20, 21 extend longitudinally vertically, the orifices 23 are located at the top and bottom of the transverse vertical plate 18. One could also imagine the variant in which the plates 22 extend horizontally longitudinally, the orifices 23 then being arranged vertically on each side of the plate 18.

Also, it can be provided that the plates 22 are widely perforated to allow the passage of the air current through them also. One can also provide four plates extending longitudinally along the four sides of the rectangular or square plate 18 to connect it to the wall 20, 21 f and that these plates 22 are largely perforated to allow free passage of the air current through them while acting as filters.

The device shown in Figures i to 3, according to the first embodiment of the invention, is generally parallelepipedal and has an outer front wall 20 vertical through which are formed the inlets 9 of humid air and the outlets 10 of dehydrated air, two external side walls 24a, 24b, an external rear vertical wall 25, an external horizontal bottom wall 14 forming the bottom, and an external horizontal top wall 26 forming a cover. The enclosure 11 formed at the bottom of the device is constituted by the fact that a horizontal wall 12 extends over the entire width and the entire length of the device above and facing the bottom 14. The inlet 9 d humid air passes through the front wall 20 which supports a deflector 17a. The air stream then passes through the upstream cartridge 1a which is removably fixed between the left lateral wall 24a and a wall 27 of vertical longitudinal median separation of the device. After passing through the cartridge upstream, the air stream meets the second deflector 17b, then crosses the rear vertical wall 21 of separation to enter the fan 8, at the outlet of which it is ejected into the rest chamber 16 formed between the rear vertical partition wall 21 and the rear exterior vertical wall 25 of the device. The centrifugal fan 8 therefore makes a right angle to the air flow. Also, the rest chamber 16 makes a second right angle to the air stream to pass it again through the rear vertical wall 21 of separation, on the third deflector 17c. Between the second deflector 17b and the third deflector 17c , that is to say between the downstream of the upstream cartridge 1a and the upstream of the downstream cartridge 1b, the air flow is therefore brought by the fan 8 and the rest chamber 16 to make a half tower at the back of the device. The air stream therefore then comes into contact with the downstream cartridge 1b which it crosses and then leaves after passing around the fourth deflector 17d through the outlet 10 for dehydrated air. The downstream cartridge 1b is fixed to the longitudinal central vertical partition wall 27 and the right side wall 24b of the device.

The cartridges 1a, 1b are fixed to the vertical walls 24, 27 by means of fixing rails 28, 29 extending vertically along the said walls 24, 27 of which they are integral in order to block said cartridges longitudinally. Each cartridge 1a, 1b parallelepiped has dimensions adapted to be able to be inserted on each side between two fixing rails 28, 29 with vertical sliding. Downwards, the cartridges 1a, 1b are supported by the horizontal wall 12 for separation of the enclosure 11. According to the embodiment shown, four associated angles 29 are provided integral with the front wall 20 to extend vertically and longitudinally along the sidewalls 24 lateral and middle verticalws 27 between the front wall 20 and each cartridge 1a, 1b so as to block these cartridges forward. There is also provided a rail 28 simply constituted by a transverse vertical strip rigidly associated with the vertical walls 24, 27 on the inside of each cartridge to block these cartridges backwards. Two rear rails 28 and two front angles 29 are provided for each of the cartridges 1, on each side. Four rear rails 28 and four front angles 29 are therefore provided.

Each cartridge 1a, 1b is associated with the vertical walls 24, 27 by the rails 28, 29 at a distance from the deflectors 17 situated respectively upstream and downstream of these cartridges 1, so as to form chambers or boxes 30 upstream and downstream cartridges. A deflector 17 extends in each chamber 30. A chamber 30a is formed upstream of the upstream cartridge 1a between the front wall 20 and this upstream cartridge 1a. A chamber 30b is formed downstream of the upstream cartridge 1a between this upstream cartridge 1a and the rear vertical wall 21 of separation.A chamber 30c is formed between the rear vertical partition wall 21 and the downstream cartridge 1b, upstream of this cartridge lb A chamber 30d is formed downstream of the downstream cartridge 1b between this cartridge lb and the front vertical wall 20. The chambers 30 can be used to have specific filters for treating the air flow with regard to its other characteristics. This is why, additional rails 31 are provided at the rear of the rails 28 and at a distance therefrom to form a receiving housing by vertical sliding of a specific filter, if any. Additional rails 32 formed by the front angles 29, towards the front of the cartridge 1 and at a distance therefrom to form housing for receiving a specific filter.

These provisions are provided on each side of each of the cartridges 1a, 1b.

In the device shown, the cartridges 1a, 1b extend in transverse extension from one another and are separated by the median longitudinal vertical wall 27.

According to the invention, the device comprises means 33 for stirring the disintegrating desiccant product enclosed in each cartridge 1. These means 33 for stirring are mechanical stirring means which circulate the disintegrating desiccant product at least substantially vertically and towards the top, that is to say opposite to the direction of flow of the liquefied deliquescent desiccant product. These stirring means 33 consist of at least one endless screw 33 arranged in the thickness of the cartridge 1 inside the housing 5 and driven in rotation by means 34 of motorization and means 35, 36, 37, 38 of transmission. According to the invention, each cartridge consists of a plurality of cells 40 separated by walls which extend longitudinally with respect to the air flow, but transversely with respect to the cartridge (this is that is to say according to its thickness), each cell 40 having its own means 33 of agitation. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, each cartridge 1 consists of three cells 40a, 40b, 40c each having an endless screw 33a, 33b, 33c extending vertically. The three cells 40a, 40b, 40c are separated from each other two by two by two vertical walls 41a, 41b.

The screws 33 are rotated so that their threads tend to raise the product flakes 2 vertically upwards. To do this, each screw 33 is mounted to rotate freely thanks to bearings 42, 43 secured respectively to the upper horizontal 39 and lower 7 walls of the housing 5 (that is to say cells 40). The worm 33 passes through the upper horizontal wall 39 and is associated in rotation with a driven pinion 37. The electric motor 34 drives the driven pinions 37 by means of a reduction gear 35, and a driving pinion 36. According to the invention, the different means 33 for agitating the cells 40 of a cartridge 1 are kinematically connected to each other and driven in rotation by the same motor means 34. To do this, the different pinions driven 37a, 37b, 37c of the various worms 33a, 33b, 33c are connected to each other by intermediate sprockets 38, in particular two by two by intermediate sprockets 38a, 38b in chain, and the driving sprocket 36 of the transmission means cooperates with only one of the driven pinions 37a, 37h, 37c of the same cartridge. Thus, in FIG. 4, the driving pinion 36 cooperates only with the driven pinion 37a of a cartridge.

According to the invention, the stirring means 33 specific to the different cartridges 1a, 1b are all driven in rotation by the same motor means 34. To do this, the driving pinion 36 cooperates with at least one driven pinion 37 of each of the cartridges 1. In FIG. 4, the driving pinion 36 cooperates on each side with a driven pinion 37 specific to each of the cartridges 1. The driving pinion 36 is interposed between these two driven pinions 37, between the two cartridges 1. The device according to the invention may however, as a variant, be equipped with a motor by cartridges, or even a motor by cell, in particular for cartridges large volume.

 The stirring means 33 make it possible to avoid solidification of the flakes of calcium chloride, and impose on the gaseous fluid which passes through them a random flow, which optimizes dehydration. To avoid stuffing phenomena and further improve the efficiency of dehydration, the transverse vertical walls 41 separating the cells 40 from one another are provided with perforations 44 allowing the free passage of the flakes and / or the liquids and / or the air from one cell 40 to another. Each wall 41 can also be produced in the form of a grid, the meshes of which have dimensions slightly greater than those of glitter. The dimensions of the meshes or perforations 44 are adapted so that the walls 41 generally maintain the flakes in each cell 40, but avoid stuffing phenomena.

The reduction gear 35 supports the electric motor 34 and is itself supported by an upper horizontal separating plate 45 placed immediately above the cartridges 1. The axis 46 of the reduction gear outlet passes through this plate 45 to rotate the driving pinion 36.

The horizontal support plate 45 of the reducer 35 extends horizontally above the cartridges I between the rear vertical partition wall 21, the outer front wall 20, and the two left and right side walls 24a, 24b. It therefore forms, with these walls and the cover 26, a housing 47 in the upper part of the device according to the invention, housing 47 containing the motor 34, the reducer 35r and various other electrical or electronic means for controlling the device according to the invention. The housing 47 being located in the upper part of the device, there is no risk of deterioration of the electric or electronic circuits which it contains by humidity or deliquescent desiccant product.

The reducer 35 is mounted on the support plate 45 by means of screws 48 and a bearing 49 through which the outlet axis 46 passes. The cover 26 is fixed to the vertical walls 20, 24, 25 by screws 50 which the pass through each of its corners to cooperate in fixing blocks 51 integral with the vertical walls 20, 24, 25. Similarly, the support plate 45 is associated with the vertical walls 20, 24, 21 which surround it by means of screws 52 passing through this plate 45 to cooperate with blocks 53 integral with these vertical walls 20, 21, 24. In this way, the cover 26 and the plate 45 are removable, which gives access to the cartridges 1 for their replacement.

Thus, to replace the cartridges 1 when they have run out of deliquescent desiccant product, it suffices to disassemble the screws 50, to remove the cover 26, to disassemble the screws 52, to remove the support plate 45 with the motor 34, the reducer 35 and the various electric or electronic circuits, and to slide the cartridges 1 vertically upwards in the rails 28, 29. As a variant, it is possible to provide that the side walls 24a, 24h are removable to release the cartridges 1 transversely from each side, or even that the outer bottom wall forming the bottom 14 can be dismantled to release the cartridges 1 directly vertically downwards. The cartridges I can also be changed by dismantling the outer front vertical wall 20 of the device which is associated with the side walls 24 and at the bottom 14 and at the cover 26 by screws 54 passing through this wall 20 and penetrating into blocks 55 integral with the side walls 24, the bottom 14 and the cover 26. When the angles 29 forming forward locking rails of the cartridges 1 are associated with this front wall 20, these angles 29 are removed and disassembled with the front wall 20. As a result, the cartridges 1 are no longer blocked forward and can be removed easily.

An embodiment of the various electrical and electronic control circuits and the operation of the device according to the invention are illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. The device according to the invention is supplied from a direct current electrical source (which provides a direct voltage of 12 volts for example as illustrated in FIG. 10) or even an alternating current source if the motors of the means 8 accelerators and 34 for driving the stirring means 33 are current motors alternative. In the latter case, the device incorporates means for rectifying the alternating current to supply the DC voltage necessary for the various electrical or electronic circuits. In any event, the device according to the invention preferably comprises a control and regulation circuit. of the DC or AC voltage supplied to it. For its supply of electrical energy, the device comprises a socket 56 supported by one of the walls of the upper housing 47 in particular by the cover 26.

Furthermore, a connection socket 57 of an external hygrostat 58 is provided for controlling the operation of the device by means of this hygrostat 58 which does not initiate operation unless the hygrometry which it detects is greater than a value of adjustable setpoint given. The external humidistat 58 can simply interrupt the external electrical supply to the device.

However, preferably, the hygrostat 58 is not directly linked to the external current supply of the device, but to an electronic control circuit 59 disposed inside the upper housing 47. This circuit 59 controls the operation of a relay 60 controlling the operation of a switch 61 on the supply circuit 63 of the motor 34 of the stirring means and a switch 62 on the supply circuit 64 of the electric motor 65 of the air accelerator 8 When it is not supplied with electric current, the timing circuit 59 requires the opening of switches 61 and 62. This electronic circuit 59 incorporates two timings making it possible to operate the device according to the invention by successive operating cycle motors 34, 65 during a time period T1 and interruption of these motors 34, 65 during a time period T2. These arrangements are particularly advantageous for allowing the homogenization of the atmosphere to be dehydrated during T2 rest periods.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention comprises electronic means 66 for controlling the motorization means 34 driving the agitation means 33. The above-mentioned switch 61, controlled by the relay 60 imposes the operation of the agitation means 33 as soon as the air accelerator means 8 are themselves in operation.

Also, the electronic control means 66 impose the operation of the stirring means 33 for a certain time after the air accelerator means 8 have stopped, either during a rest period or after a final stop. To do this, the electronic control means 66 incorporate an appropriate time delay. Also, the electronic control means 66 trigger the operation of the stirring means 33 at regular intervals for a certain time, when the air accelerator means 8 do not operate and this so as to avoid solidification of the chloride flakes. calcium. Thus, when the device does not work, for example when the hygrostat 58 has detected a hygrometry lower than the set hygrometry, the electronic control means 66 trigger the operation of the stirring means 33 from time to time, at intervals regular, and for a short period of time. To do this, the electronic control means 66 incorporate adequate timers. The control circuit 66 acts on a relay 67 which controls a switch 68 disposed on a supply line 69 of the motor 34 of the stirring means 33 in parallel with the switch 61. The switches 61r 62 and 68 are therefore all three connected to one of the terminals 70, in particular to the positive terminal, of the power supply source.

The other terminal 71, in particular the negative terminal, is connected directly to the motors 34 and 65. The switch 68 allows the operation of the motor 34 of the agitation means 33 independently of the operation of the engine 65 of the accelerator 8. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the two switches 61 and 62 being controlled by the same relay 60, the stirring means 33 are interrupted at the same time as the air accelerator 8 during the transition to rest period. The control circuit 66 permanently operates its relay 68 according to its time delays. At the opening of the switch 61, it is the switch 67 which controls the power supply to the motor 34. The circuit 66 then controls the closing and the opening of the switch 68 and therefore the stopping and putting running means 33 of agitation according to its timers, in particular all the time intervals T4 during a time period T5. In this case, the control circuit 66 incorporates two timers of respective periods T4 and T5. For example T4 is 2min and T5 is lots.

The circuit 66 can be produced in accordance with FIG. 13 where C5 is a capacitor, D4 and D5 are diodes, 1C3 is an integrated circuit
CMOS 4093 of which two gates 1C3 (1) and 1C3 (2) are used, R7 and R9 are fixed resistors, R8 is an adjustable resistor, T3 is a BC 557 transistor. T4 is determined by IC3 (i) and R7 and T5 is determined by 1C3 (2) and R8.

The circuit carried out by the air stream is only shown diagrammatically in FIG. T0 which does not correspond to an effective embodiment. The same applies to the arrangement of the cartridges of desiccant product, of the inlet 9 and of the output 10, and the various accessories and electrical circuits shown in FIG. 10, the relative spatial arrangements of which do not necessarily correspond to reality. These relative spatial arrangements are illustrated in the other figures.

The device according to the invention comprises means 71, 72 for detecting the absence of deliquescent desiccant product in each cartridge i triggering an external alarm and / or the automatic filling of each cartridge 1 with deliquescent product as soon as the absence of shaped product of glitter is detected by these means 71, 72, in the housing 5. These detection means 71, 72 according to the invention consist of at least one light source 71 placed to emit a light ray through the housing 5 of the cartridge i, and a photoelectric cell 7 placed opposite it opposite the light source 72b to pick up said light beam as soon as it is not interrupted by the opaque deliquescent desiccant product and can pass through the cartridge 1.According to the invention, the light source 71 and the photoelectric cell 72 are arranged so that the light ray extends at least along the width of the cartridge 1, in particular hori horizontally at the lower minimum level of product. As long as there remains solid disintegrating product in the form of flakes inside the housing 5 of the cartridge 1, the light beam emitted by the source 71 does not reach the photoelectric cell 72. there is no longer a disintegrating desiccant in the form of flakes, or when there is no longer enough, the light beam reaches the photocell 72, which triggers an external alarm signal or allows the automatic filling of the cartridge in product by suitable means not shown incorporating a container of deliquescent product opening into the cartridges by means of solenoid valves ...

The various signals a, b, c, d, f, g of supply and coming from the means 71, 72 for detecting the absence of desiccant product, and from the means 15 for detecting the level of liquid in the enclosure 11 , are managed by a fault detection circuit 73, a possible embodiment of which is illustrated in FIG. 11. This circuit is understandable in itself for those skilled in the art. Ri, R2,
R3, R4, R5, R6 are resistors. Cl, C2, C3, C4 are capacities. 71 is a light emitting diode, emitting the light beam towards the cell 72. D2 and D3 are diodes. ICi is an integrated circuit CMOS 4093 of which two doors ICI (1) and 1C2 (2) are used is P1 is a variable resistor , RL A and RL B are relays, and T1 and T2 are BC 557 type transistors.

The relay RLA and RLB control switches (not shown) placed in parallel on the power supply line 77 of an external alarm 74, audible or visual, which indicates the presence of a fault, in particular the absence of delicent desiccant product or the filling the recovery chamber 11.

The signals a, b, c, d, f, g corresponding to the supply of the diode 71, and to the detection of the cell 72 and of the level detector 15, are connected to the circuit 73 at the points indicated in FIG. 13 .

The alarm 74 can be placed outside the device and connected to it via a socket (not shown) for connection to one of the external walls, in particular of the cover 26.

The various walls and plates constituting the device according to the invention can be made of rigid transparent synthetic material so that the content of the cartridges 1 and the operation of the device can be visually checked from the outside at all times.

The air dehydration device according to the first embodiment of the invention is particularly compact while providing greater efficiency than that of the devices known from the prior art.

Tests have been carried out with a device in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention. Each three cell cartridge was 170mm high, 155mm wide, and 50mm thick. The useful internal volume of each cartridge was 800 cc, or approximately 960 g of calcium chloride. The openings 44 in the cell separation walls 41 were of the order of 26mm in diameter. The perforations 9 of the vertical walls 6 were of the order of 6.5 mm in diameter. Each vertical wall 6 included 99 perforations 3. Synthetic mesh nets of the order of 1 mm 2 lined the internal face of the vertical walls 6 perforated. The lower wall 7 of the cartridges was provided with three bearings for receiving the worm screws 33 of agitation, and thirty perforations 4 of 3.5 mm in diameter. The screw pitch of the agitation worms 33 was approximately 15 mm, and the speed of rotation of these screws 33 was between 4 and 6 revolutions per minute. The calcium chloride flakes used had an average thickness of around 2 of 1.5mm and a large average surface of around 17mm2, i.e.
3 average volume of the order of 26 mm.

The volume of air that can be treated with such a device can go up to around 20m3 to bring the humidity there to a value of the order of 25% in a shorter time or of the order of 480 h. For example, tests carried out on 5m3 of air at 72% relative humidity have shown that such a device makes it possible to lower and stabilize this value to less than 20% in less than 45 min, and to keep this value more than 480 h.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 6 to 8. In this second embodiment, the air dehydration device according to the invention is of the axial type, that is to say that the draft does not undergo a U-turn when passing through this device. The elements common to the various embodiments are referenced by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

the device according to the second embodiment is of generally parallelepipedic or cubic shape, and has its inlet 9 for humid air arranged on a front vertical wall 20, while the outlet 10 for dehydrated air is arranged on the rear vertical wall 25 of the device. Immediately after inlet 9, the air stream comes into contact with the upstream cartridge 1a which it passes through. It then meets a deflector 17 consisting of a vertical transverse plate 18 and upper and lower horizontal longitudinal connection plates 22, and enters the accelerator 8 which, in this embodiment, is an axial type fan. At the outlet of the axial fan 8, another deflector 17 is provided, upstream of the downstream cartridge 1b. After passing through this downstream cartridge, the air flow escapes through the outlet 10 directly. The cartridges la, lb are held vertically by rails 28 which extend over the entire height of the cartridges la, lb, and are associated integral with the side walls 24. The cover 26 is associated with the device by means of screws 50 and blocks 51, said blocks 51 being integral with the side walls 24 and the front and rear walls 20, 25. A recovery enclosure II common to both cartridges is provided in the lower part of the device, between the bottom 14 and a horizontal wall 12 of separation provided with perforations 4, wall 12 which supports the cartridges 1a, 1b. To change or reload the cartridges 1a, 1b, it suffices to disassemble the screws 50 and remove the cover 26. In FIGS. 6 to 8, the stirring means 33 and their associated devices, as well as the electronic means for command were not shown. In this second embodiment, a deflector 17 is provided upstream of the fan 8, and a deflector 17 downstream of this fan 8. The enclosure It is provided with an orifice 75 for discharging the liquid which it recovers. A seal 76 is provided interposed between the cover 26 and the upper edge of the vertical walls 20, 24, 25.

FIG. 12 represents a fourth embodiment of the invention which is in fact a variant of the second mode shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. In FIG. 12, the device according to the invention comprises a plurality of axial fans 8 separated by each other two by two by at least one cartridge 1. With such an embodiment, it is possible to obtain a device of very high power in a very small volume. In addition to the fact that it comprises a plurality of axial fans 8 and more than two cartridges 1, that is to say a cartridge 1 immediately after the inlet 9, a cartridge 1 immediately before the outlet 10 and a series of cartridges central units separated from each other by a fan 8, the fourth embodiment of the invention is identical in all respects to the second embodiment already described.

The example shown in FIG. 12 comprises three axial fans 8 and four cartridges 1. It is clear that any number of axial fans 8 and cartridges 1 can be provided. However, a cartridge 1 is preferably more than 'there are 8 axial fans. Deflectors 17 are also advantageously provided upstream and downstream of each accelerator 8 and / or upstream and downstream of each cartridge 1.

The third embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9 is an embodiment in which the air accelerator means 8 are separated from the dehydration means 1, that is to say not incorporated in the same casing. In this embodiment, there is therefore provided a casing 78 containing one or more cartridges 1 of deliquescent desiccant product. This casing 78 is formed of a front vertical wall 79, a rear vertical wall 80r of a cover 81, vertical side walls 82, and a horizontal bottom wall 83 forming the bottom. The housing 78 is associated by screws 84 with a base 85. The cover 81 is associated with the vertical walls 79, 80r 82 by screws 86 and corresponding blocks 87 integral with these vertical walls. The moist air enters through the inlet 9 formed in the front wall 79. A deflector 17 as already described is provided immediately downstream of this inlet 9. The air then passes through a cartridge 1 extending vertically between the cover 81 and a lower horizontal wall 97 provided with perforations 4 facing the bottom of the cartridge 1, and which delimits with the bottom 83 of the device an enclosure for recovering it from the liquids flowing from the cartridge 1. Downstream of the cartridge 1, a deflector 17 and an outlet 7 for dehydrated air formed in the rear wall 80 are also provided. To this air outlet 97, a centrifugal fan 8 provided with its motor 88 is connected directly which forces the air flow up to its outlet 89. The centrifugal fan 8 is rigidly associated with the base 85 by screws 90 and a support 91. In this third embodiment, the cartridge 1 is preferably refillable and not removable. To reload the cartridge 1, simply remove the screws 86 and remove the cover 81. You then have access to the open upper part of the cartridge 1. Moreover, the rails 92 for blocking the cartridge 1 can 'extend horizontally under the cover 81 and / or above the lower horizontal wall 7 of separation or even consist of simple corners. The deliquescent product which flows through the orifices 4 in the enclosure 11 is preferably continuously emptied out of the enclosure 11, in particular by a drain orifice 93 connected to appropriate storage and / or pumping means. Here again, the electronic control devices and the means for agitating deliquescent product are not shown in FIG. 9.

 The third embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is particularly suitable for dehydrating a large volume of air. It can be of great power. In such a case, it is preferable not to have to completely change the cartridge (s) 1, and it is more convenient to be able to simply refill them from above.

 The invention thus makes it possible to provide an autonomous air dehydration device which can absorb moist air through its air inlet 9 and discharge it through its outlet 10, 89 in the dehydrated state. the device according to the invention incorporates the various means necessary for its operation.

The embodiments described above are given only by way of nonlimiting example, and the invention can be the subject of numerous variants obvious to a person skilled in the art. In particular, the air accelerator means 8 can be, in certain embodiments not shown, completely independent and separated from the rest of the dehydration device, or even considered useless when there is already a current of air otherwise trained.

Claims (18)

1. Air dehydration device including means (1, 2) for  dehydration containing a desiccant product crossed by a  air stream to be dehydrated, characterized in that the means (1,  2) dehydration consist of at least one cartridge (1)  removable and / or refillable containing product (2) desiccator  solid deliquescent, especially calcium chloride, which  liquefies and drips during use, so that  dehydration means (1, 2) are consumed progressively  of the use of the device and can be renewed by  cartridges (1) full of new desiccant desiccant  and / or topped up with a deliquescent desiccant when the  deliquescent desiccant product is exhausted. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each  cartridge (i) is in the form of a thick plate containing the product  deliquescent, perforated desiccator for the passage of air to  through it in a direction at least substantially normal to  its main plane, the air current was forced through the  cartridge in this direction. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that each  cartridge (1) extends generally vertically, is crossed by  the air flow flowing generally horizontally and in this  that it comprises at least one enclosure (11) for recovering  liquids flowing from each cartridge (1) vertically under  the effect of gravity during the use of the device. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that it  comprises means (15) for detecting the level of liquid in  each recovery enclosure (11) triggering an alarm  outside and / or emptying the enclosure (11). 5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,  characterized in that it further comprises one is associated with  air accelerator means (8) forming a current of air between a  inlet (9) for moist air and outlet (10, 89) for dehydrated air  and circulating through the means (1, 2) of  dehydration. 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that i  comprises at least one cartridge (1) upstream of the means (8)  air accelerators, and at least one cartridge (1) downstream of the  means (8) air accelerators. 7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,  characterized in that it comprises from upstream to downstream in the  direction of the air flow passing through it, a humid air inlet (9),  an upstream cartridge (la), air accelerator means (8), a  downstream cartridge (lob), and an outlet (10) for dehydrated air. 8. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 7,  characterized in that the air accelerator means (8) are  consisting of at least one fan (8) interposed between two  cartridges (1) respectively upstream and downstream. 9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,  characterized in that it comprises at least one deflector (17)  homogenization of the air stream upstream and / or downstream of its  passage in each cartridge (1). 10. Device according to any one of claims I to 9,  characterized in that it comprises means (71, 72) for detection  the absence of a dehydrating desiccant in each  cartridge (1) triggering an external alarm and / or  automatic filling of each cartridge (1) with product. 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the  detection means (71, 72) consist of at least one source  light (71) placed to emit a light beam through the  cartridge (1), and a photoelectric cell (72) placed at  the opposite opposite the light source (71) to capture said  radius as soon as it is not interrupted by the opaque product. 12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the  light source (71) and the photoelectric cell (72) are  arranged in such a way that the light ray extends at least according to  the height of the cartridge (1), in particular vertically or in  diagonal. 13. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,  characterized in that it comprises means (33) for agitating the  Deliquescent desiccant contained in each cartridge  (1). 14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the  stirring means (33) circulate the desiccant product  at least substantially vertically and upward. 15. Device according to any one of claims 13 and 14,  characterized in that each cartridge (1) consists of a  plurality of cells (40) separated by walls (41)  transverse, each cell (40) having its own means  agitation (33).  16. Device according to claim 15r characterized in that the  walls (41) are perforated. 17. Device according to any one of claims 13 to 16,  characterized in that it comprises electronic means (66) for  control of the means (34) for motorizing the means (33)  of agitation, and in that these electronic means (66) of  control impose the operation of the stirring means (33)  as soon as and at least when the means (8) air accelerators  are themselves in operation. 18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the  electronic control means (66) trigger the  operation of the stirring means (33) at regular intervals  for a certain time, when the means (8) accelerators  do not work.