FR3040209A1 - MODULAR DEVICE STOCKEUR EXCHANGER WITH PERIPHERAL BARRIER SEALING - Google Patents

Abstract

Modular storage heat exchanger device comprising a plurality of modules (3) individually comprising an interior volume (7), elements (13, 130) for storing and restoring a thermal energy, in heat exchange with a circulating fluid, at least a first layer of material comprising at least one phase change material (PCM), and at least one second layer comprising a porous heat-insulating material disposed in a vacuum enclosure (PIV), said at least first and second layers being interposed around the interior volumes (7) of the modules, between them and the outside.

Description

MODULAR DEVICE STOCKEUR EXCHANGER WITH PERIPHERAL BARRIER SEALING

The present invention relates to a modular storage heat exchanger device where the thermal energy is provided by a refrigerant or coolant, such as oil from an engine or glycol water of a cooling circuit, in particular.

A thermal flow management problem arises both module by module and over all, since it is expected that individually the modules will contain at least one volume where the refrigerant or heat transfer fluid to circulate.

However, for example in the automotive or aeronautics field, the current trend to integrate in vehicles (cars, airplanes ...) systems to ensure an increase in performance (turbo, super-capacity, ...) weighs down and tends to increase the capacity requirement of thermal systems, especially storage and heat exchangers.

In addition, the industry is invited to accelerate the placing on the market of new technologies that can reduce pollutant emissions, smooth any occasional increases in thermal loads or gradients in relation to nominal sizing operations, or propose solutions. to shift in time the return of an available energy at another time, or to promote the operational operation of an element in its optimum operating temperature range (for example a battery of accumulators). It is therefore in this context that a modular storage heat exchanger device comprising, in a unit: - several modules comprising individually: - a peripheral wall, - at least one interior volume, - the less a fluid communication between the internal volumes, for the passage of a refrigerant or coolant, - storage elements and a thermal energy, disposed in said volumes, in heat exchange with the fluid that can flow in these volumes under the action of circulation means, - at least a first layer of material comprising at least one MCP material, - at least a second layer comprising a porous heat-insulating material disposed in a vacuum chamber, to define at least one panel vacuum insulator, PIV, said at least a first and second layers being interposed around the internal volumes of the modules, between them t outside. For all purposes, it is specified that a vacuum insulating panel, PIV, refers to a thermally insulating structure with a porous insulating material (or even nano-porous, pore sizes less than 1 micron) placed in a sealed envelope, under vacuum partial air. "Porous" means a material having gaps for the passage of air. Porous, open-cell materials therefore include foams but also fibrous materials (such as glass wool or rock wool). The passage interstices that can be described as pores have sizes of less than 1 or 2 mm so as to guarantee good thermal insulation, and preferably at 1 micron, and preferentially still at 10'9m, for particular questions. resistance to aging and therefore possible less strong depression in the envelope PIV.

And a phase change material - or MCP - refers to any material capable of changing physical state within a restricted temperature range. The thermal storage can take place by the use of its Sensitive Heat (CS): the material can yield or store energy by seeing to vary its own temperature, without changing of state, and / or its Latent Heat ( CL): the material can then store or transfer energy by simple change of state, while maintaining a temperature, that of the change of state. We can mention paraffins, eutectic salts ...

The thermally insulating material of the second layer, which will therefore not be a MCP material, could be an insulator such as glass wool, but porous insulation, polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam, or even more favorably a material would be preferred. porous or even nano-porous heat insulator, arranged in a vacuum chamber, for defining at least one vacuum insulating panel, PIV.

The thermally insulating material of the second layer will have a lower thermal conductivity than the MCP material.

With a PIV, the performance of the thermal management to be assured will be improved, even the overall weight decreased compared to another insulator. Finally, it is further specified that PIV (vacuum insulating panel; VIP) panels are thermal insulators in which cores made of porous material, for example silica gel or silicic acid powder (SiO 2), are pressed in plate and each surrounded, under partial air vacuum, a gas-tight wrapping sheet, for example plastic and / or laminated aluminum. The resulting vacuum, with a residual pressure typically less than 1 mbar (102 Pa), typically lowers the thermal conductivity to less than about 0.01 / 0.020 W / (mK) under the conditions of use. An insulation efficiency 3 to 10 times higher than that of more conventional insulating materials is thus obtained.

However, in at least some applications or operating situations to be anticipated, it may be necessary to achieve a thermal insulation efficiency via said "second layer" in particular significantly higher than that of more conventional insulating materials, such as certain technical polymers such as RYNITE® PET polyester resin or HYTREL® thermoplastic polyester elastomer from Dupont de Nemours ®.

Typically, a thermal conductivity λ less than 0.008 / 0.01 W / m.K is hereby expected, preferably.

With regard to these PIV panels and MCP materials, it was further noted that they do not seem to meet the expectations of the market so far. In particular, their implementation in the field is a problem, especially their packaging.

It is therefore proposed in a first embodiment that individually the peripheral walls of the modules each comprise a moldable material support which will incorporate at least a portion of the first and second layers. Preferably, pouches PIV constitution will then be provided to condition these first and / or second layers before integrating them in the material of the wall.

A difficulty has also been to define industrial conditions so that the energy performance objectives, weight and compactness are achievable. To this end, it is proposed, in a first embodiment: - that individually, the internal volumes of the modules are open on one side to allow to put in place or remove said storage elements and restitution of thermal energy and comprise on a side opposite a bottom, - that the modules are arranged along a line passing through said funds and openings, - and that the device further comprises, facing the first and last bottom (s) and / or opening (s) of the line, covers that individually close a said opening or double a said bottom, the covers being individually provided with a portion of the first and second layers.

Especially in this case, it will then be possible that the funds are deprived of the first and second layers.

In this case, it may be advantageous for at least the second layer (s) (and preferably also the first layer) to be at least partly disposed in a series of pockets with PIV constitution. : - joined by flexible intermediate portions where two successive pockets can articulate relative to each other, and - extending with said intermediate portions around said peripheral wall.

Thus, there will be a possible one-piece construction of the thermal insulation means (via the PIV panels) and thermal transfer retarder (via the MCP material or materials).

This may facilitate the industrial manufacturing process if the strips thus produced are integrated with a mouldable material (see above) that if they are structurally independent of the walls, being arranged around them.

In both, this may be supplemented by an arrangement where: at least the second layer (s) (and preferably also the first layer) will be at least partly arranged in a series of pockets with PIV constitution: - these pockets being joined by intermediate portions, at least some of which would be defined continuously by at least one structure impregnated with a thermal insulating material, thus ensuring a continuity of thermal insulation between the pockets.

This will limit the problems of thermal bridges.

An alternative solution has however been envisaged which provides: - still that individually, the internal volumes of the modules are open on one side to allow to put in place or remove said storage elements and energy restitution thermal and comprise on a opposite side a bottom, - that the modules are arranged along a line passing through said funds and openings, - that the device further comprises, facing the first and last bottom (s) and / or opening (s) of the line, lids which individually close one said opening or double a said bottom, - but also that the bottoms and the peripheral walls are provided with said first and / or second layers arranged in a series of PIV pockets, - and, if a lid closes a first or last said opening, this cover is also provided with at least one said pocket.

This will make it possible in particular to functionalize the modules which would then serve not only as a reservoir for storage elements and for the return of thermal energy and sub-volume for an optimized circulation of the refrigerant or heat transfer fluid, but also as an active thermal barrier between the sub-volume. -volumes than vis-à-vis the outside.

In addition, the modules will be made even more standardized in a molded version incorporating the entire PIV / MCP insulation and retardant complex.

It will then be all the more interesting: - that the storage and thermal energy recovery elements individually comprise a MCP material, - and preferably that these storage and thermal energy recovery elements consist of balls or spheres between which can flow the fluid. The efficiency of the thermal exchanges with the fluid will be optimized, it being specified that this is applicable even if the insulation is made around the peripheral walls of the modules, which however leads to a solution a priori less compact and integrated and a little less standardized especially if "large quantity" of modules are to be produced (such as in the automotive world where tens or hundreds of thousands of annual pieces can be manufactured and put in place with delicate management conditions, with for example numbers different modules according to a large number of different models of vehicle concerned).

If necessary, the invention will be better understood and other characteristics, details and advantages thereof will become apparent upon reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: which: - Figure 1 is a unit diagram of type storage-heat exchanger, in exploded view; - Figure 2 shows an exploded view, one of its modules surrounded by thermal insulating blocks wrapped in the manner of a continuous articulable panel; - Figures 3 and 4 show, in exploded view (Figure 3) and in the assembled final state (Figure 4), one of its modules surrounded by MCP / PIV blocks; FIGS. 5, 6 show, again in exploded view, two other embodiments of an internal volume-type storage-exchanger unit isolated from the outside as provided for in the invention (the pockets are to be imagined completely closed in periphery); - Figures 7,8 show two alternative embodiments of the pockets and intermediate portions, in the manner of a continuous panel molded with the material of the peripheral wall, which is either monoblock (Figure 8) or in several parts (Figure 7); FIG. 9 schematizes a closed state of an articulable insulation panel; FIG. 10 schematizes pockets 19 with a curved shape, at least locally, and FIGS. 11 to 13 show diagrammatically, according to strips, alternative embodiments of said pockets, with their intermediate portions.

As mentioned above, the invention proposes a modular embodiment whose mass will be able to be adjusted and whose thermal performance will make it possible to obtain a capacity as much as to reach a target temperature of the fluid in the device (via the capacity of optimized exchange of heat through the construction in modules and said storage elements and thermal energy return) than temperature maintenance of this fluid in the device (via the complex MCP / PIV material with retarding effects and thermal insulator).

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a storage / heat energy exchanger according to the invention.

It comprises: at least several modules 3, each provided with a peripheral wall 5 and having an internal volume 7, at least one layer 15 containing a MCP material that can be disposed in at least one quasi-perimetric cavity 17 (FIG. ) of the wall 5 or (laterally) all around said wall, in particular inside the pockets 19 of the following figures, - and therefore a series of such PIV-shaped pockets 19, these pockets: - whether or not ( as FIGS. 3, 4) be joined by intermediate portions 21 where two successive pockets can articulate with respect to one another, - individually containing at least one thermal insulating material 23, and - extending, laterally with respect to the axis of superposition, preferably all around the volumes 7, to isolate them thermally from the outside (EXT) with their content, at least in their entirety, that is to say not necessarily module by modul e or volume by volume.

Here, in the interior volumes 7, there are present: a refrigerant or heat-transfer fluid that can circulate, in a circuit outside the unit and in said volumes (in series or in parallel) under the action of means 11 of circulation, and elements 13 for storing and restoring a thermal energy; In particular, they may be balls 130.

In the example of Figure 1, the solution consists of two modules or body 3, stacked here along a single axial line 27 which is perpendicular to their respective bottoms 29, which close the modules, transversely to the peripheral wall 5 and axially to the opposite of an opening 31.

Passages 30 communicating at least two by two, in the bottoms 29, allow the fluid 9 (which may be water or oil, or even a gas, such as air), to flow from an inlet 33 to an output 35, between the modules 3 and the outside thereof in a functional circuit 300 which may be that of a vehicle engine. Where it is necessary, since the open modules 3 can be arranged in particular back to back (Figure 1) or opposite face to face, one or more covers 32, here two double, close the openings 31, so as to seal 7. Externally, each cover 32 may be doubled by a single pocket 34 PIV constitution. And a plate 36 of mechanical protection can close the whole, along the axis 27, as illustrated. The inlet 33 and outlet 35 pass through the parts 32, 34, 36 to open into the respective volumes 7, as shown in FIG. 1. Linking means 40, such as tie rods, join the modules 3 together, along the axis 27, of waterproof way. And a sheath 38 of mechanical protection open at both ends, for example hard plastic, envelops the modules 3, 32,34,36 parts and pockets 19 which are here inserted laterally between the walls 5 and this sheath.

Although can cover axially several modules as Figure 1 or 6 or the pockets will surround individually, as Figures 2,3,4 or 5, failing to be integrated as allowed to figure 7,8.

Thus, the assembly 1 is, in the example, of modular construction, which should allow to limit the overall weight of the assembly, to easily adapt to each case encountered and to promote thermal performance. In this respect, the thermal performance of MCP materials is recognized. And a local complex MCP / thermal insulation, preferably under PIV constitution, will associate a thermal insulation vis-à-vis the outside (EXT) and can deliver late in time (until 10 to 15h after stopping the engine of an automobile) the fluid considered at the expected temperature.

The thermally insulating material 23 of each pocket 19 will therefore be an insulator such as a glass wool, a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam, or even more favorably a porous heat-insulating material, such as a nano-porous silica, disposed in a vacuum chamber, to define at least one such vacuum insulating panel, PIV.

In the example of FIG. 1, the (here each) internal volume 7 thus contains elements 13 for storing and restoring a thermal energy with which the refrigerant or coolant 9 comes in heat exchange.

As a constitution of the elements 13 (or 15 or 81 below), it will be possible to provide a rubber composition as described in EP2690137 or in EP2690141, namely in the second case a crosslinked composition based on at least one elastomer "RTV" silicone vulcanized at room temperature and comprising at least one phase change material (PCM), said at least one silicone elastomer having a viscosity measured at 23 ° C according to ISO 3219 which is less than or equal to 5000 mPa. s. In this case, the elastomer matrix will be predominantly constituted (i.e. in an amount greater than 50 phr, preferably greater than 75 phr) of one or more silicone elastomers "RTV". Thus, this composition may have its elastomer matrix comprising one or more silicone elastomers in a total amount greater than 50 phr and optionally one or more other elastomers (i.e. other than "RTV" silicones) in a total quantity of less than 50 phr. The thermal phase change material (MCP) consists of n-hexadecane, eicosane or a lithium salt, all with melting points below 40 ° C.

A paraffin-based material, eutectic fatty acid (myristic-capric) or eutectic hydrated salt (calcium + potassium chloride) could also be used as a constituent material, alone or not, of the aforementioned elements. Alternatively, the MCP material of the cited elements could be based on fatty acid, paraffin, or eutectic or hydrated salt. Other possibilities exist, such as a PCM impregnated in a porous network.

In fact, the choice of material and its conditioning in each element concerned, in particular its dispersion within a polymer matrix, will depend on the intended application and the expected results. A priori the elements 13, here individualized, such as the balls mentioned, will be arranged in bulk in the volumes 7, with free movement of the fluid 9 between them, module in module. The size ratio of the individualized structures / dimensions of each subvolume will then be defined accordingly, in order preferably to optimize the exchange surfaces elements 13 / fluid 9.

Although this is not strictly imposed (see FIGS. 3-8), it will be a priori preferred, if the pockets 19, with then flexible intermediate portions 21, are arranged around the wall 5, that these together define a articulable panel 50 can: - typically in an operational state, be closed on itself (see Figures 9, where the structure 50 is to imagine to have and around a wall 5 to isolate, or 10) - and be deployed substantially flat, for example to be stored and in a state that may be non-operational (see Figures 11-13).

The cases of FIGS. 7-8 show an alternative where these pockets 19 and intermediate portions are integrated with the peripheral wall 5. This wall 5 will then be a priori more rigid than the elements 19 and 21 which will retain their properties, although immobilized by or in said wall by the surrounding material thereof. Pockets and intermediate portions 21 may also have retained the specificities presented above. The intermediate portions 21 which join the pockets 19 are thinner than the latter and are then curved or folded if an angle y is formed, as in FIG. 8 where it is situated at an angle 52 of the wall 5.

Figure 8, the pockets 19 and their intermediate portions 21 are molded integrally with the moldable material of the side wall 5. Figure 7 they are together in the heart of the wall 5; but this one is in several parts. A joint plane 93 passing through the pockets 19 and their intermediate portions 21 allows to join the two parts 5a, 5b of the wall 5 which will be fixed together by any suitable means: gluing or other.

The reference to a peripheral side wall 5 of moldable material covers both fiber-filled and injected thermoplastic resins and thermosetting resins impregnating a fabric or mat, such as a woven or a nonwoven.

In general, the peripheral wall 5 will define a coating element for the pockets 19 and their intermediate portions 21. It may in particular be made of elastomer, a more rigid polymer material (medium or high density polyethylene, for example), or composite (loaded fiber).

Because they are less thick than the pockets 19, the intermediate portions 21, intrinsically flexible, may be arranged in line (Figure 7), but also curved or folded if an angle 52 is formed (Figure 8) or of way to create a level shift between two successive pockets. The pockets 19 being more rigid, it is at the location of an intermediate portion that we will favorably achieve a change of plan (level shift, angle or corner, sharp or rounded, etc.) in the wall. If an embodiment with "zones 191, 193" as hereinafter is provided, it is at the location of these zones and bulged portions 59 that these changes of plane in the wall 5 will preferably be created.

Independently of an arrangement of said elements 19,21 around the peripheral wall or integrated with it, the following now presents a favorable embodiment of these pockets and intermediate portions, as best seen in FIGS. 3, 11-13 in several embodiments among different possible. Thus, it can be expected that at least some PIV pockets 19 comprise: - at least one element consisting of said thermal insulating material 23 which will therefore be porous here taking into account the PIV constitution to achieve, and - at least one outer casing 37 closed which contains at least this material and consists of at least one flexible sheet 49 flexible MCP waterproof material with, in a suitable embodiment, the sheet 49 which is further sealable (thermally / chemically, 49a, around the pockets) and between them) and impervious to the porous material 23 and to the air (or even to water), so that an air gap prevailing in the envelope 37, a so-called vacuum insulating panel (PIV) can to be so defined.

It will be noted, as shown in FIGS. 7, 13, that at least one layer 15 containing a MCP material can double on one side the layer 23, in the pockets 19, under the sheet (s) 49. where they might not be expected). Layer 15 will be on the inside (INT).

This porous thermal insulator 23 will advantageously be composed of a nano-porous material (with a nanostructure, such as a silica powder or an airgel or its pyrolate, such as a silica airgel), therefore preferably confined in at least one flexible sheet 49 which will not leave pass neither water vapor nor gas. The obtained PIV will be emptied of its air to obtain for example a pressure of a few millibars, then can be sealed. Typically, the thermal conductivity λ of such a PIV will be 0.004 / 0.008 W / m.K. The use of insulating panels under vacuum should achieve a thermal resistance R = 5 m2.K / W with only 35 mm of insulation.

A possible composition of the material 23 is as follows: 80-85% of silica dioxide (SiO 2), 15-20% of silicon carbide (SiC) and possibly 5% of other products (binder / fillers). A thickness of 0.4 to 3 cm is possible. Examples, applicable here, of PIV panel and super-insulating material are further provided in PCT / FR2014 / 050267 and WO2014060906 (porous material), respectively.

The solutions presented above must allow, in an acceptable volume and weight, in particular by aircraft or automobile manufacturers, a rapid storage, in an engine oil circuit, of a thermal energy available after about 6 hours. -10 minutes, the maintenance of this energy for 12 to 15 hours, before its rapid return, typically a few minutes (especially less than 2-3mns), for example during a cold start phase of the engine.

The or each flexible sheet 49 of the PIV panel may typically be made in the form of a multilayer film comprising polymer films (PE and PET) and aluminum in the form, for example, of a laminate (sheet of thickness in the order of a ten micrometer) or metallized (vacuum deposition of a film of a few tens of nanometers). The metallization can be carried out on one or both sides of a PE film and several metallized PE films can be complexed to form a single film. Example of the design of the film: - Internal PE sealing, approx. 40 μm - Vacuum metallization Al, approx. 0.04 μm PET outer layer, about 60 μm. The / each envelope 37 may typically be formed of two such sheets disposed on either side of at least the layer of material 23 and joined together, as in 49a.

Between two pockets, the simple use of this or these sheets will create a discontinuity of thermal insulation. To limit this and a problem of thermal bridges, it is proposed a bulged portion 59 is disposed between two successive pockets this regularly or not in the chain.

Each portion 59 may consist in the winding of a thermal insulation roll (blanket in English). A nano-structured or nano-porous material 57 will be particularly suitable, such as a silica airgel. It may for example be the flexible product, in roll, called Spaceloft®, a SIPA (Super Insulation Atmospheric Pressure) insulation proposed by the company ISOLProducts with a thermal conductivity: λ = 0.0044 to 0.021 W / m.K.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 11, this material 57, identical to or different from the thermal insulating material 23 will be a priori closely surrounded by the aforesaid flexible sheet (s) joining the pockets 19, and thus naturally bonded to them. A bulged portion 59 will then be defined between two articulation zones 191, 193 (each formed by the aforesaid flexible sheet (s) applied against each other), each zone being itself joined laterally on one side to the pocket 19 concerned.

Wrapped thus by said one or more flexible sheets, the bulged portions 59 will be under partial vacuum of air, such as PIV structures. And both of them will favorably present a convex outer surface. This may in particular allow a support against complementary external surfaces of positioning of the wall 5, concave if the portions 59 enveloped are externally convex.

Despite these elements 57,59, the intermediate portions 21 are not yet fully thermally insulating. However, we may wish to combine the functions of articulation between pockets 19 and thermal insulation without almost thermal bridge, whether it is a solution integrated to the wall 5 or outside of it.

Thus it is proposed, as shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 12-13, that at least some intermediate portions 21 joining pockets 19 are defined by at least one (preferably inherently flexible) strip 79 having a thermal insulating material 81 (preferably porous to be integrated into a global PIV structure). The material 81 may be identical to the (x) insulating material (s) thermal (s) porous 23,57.

The strip 79 may be continuous or be made in sections or interrupted at each pocket in the porous thermal insulating material 23 which fills them. Its structure may be based on a polymer mesh impregnated with airgel. 12, the band 79 extends in the intermediate part of the thickness of the pockets 19. FIG. 13 is along the same edge of these pockets 19. Thicker than the flexible articulation structures 79, by more than 2.5 to 3 times thicker, the pockets 19 will typically be stiffer than them.

In order for the panel 50 to acquire its PIV constitution under partial vacuum, it will of course be carried out under vacuum, with sealing, after the layers or plates of porous materials 23, 81 have all been wrapped by the flexible waterproof sheet or sheets 49.

To produce the structures 79, it will be possible in particular to use a flexible polymer mesh support impregnated with an airgel 81, for example silica, or its pyrolate (pyrolysed airgel, it being specified that this alternative pyrolate applies to each case of the present description where a porous thermally insulating material is concerned). The flexible support will favorably be formed of a virgin frame (for example an organic or inorganic nonwoven fabric, such as a polyester or a polyamide impregnated with airgel insulating particles (monolithic fractional fin, for example) wedged between the fibers, which will maintain good flexibility.

For information, an insulating pocket 19 as presented above, with nano-porous aerogels or their pyrolate core material, may have a thermal conductivity of less than 10 mW.m-1.K-1 for an internal pressure of 2 at 5 to 10'3 Pa. The depression in the pockets, or even the portions 21, may be the usual one of the VIPs: 10'2 to 10'3 Pa.

In some figures, it will also be noted in 89a, 89b the holding means on itself of the band 50, once folded on itself. One can imagine a solution clip, Velcro (TM), Velcro, or other type.

It should also be noted that the pockets 19 will not necessarily be strictly flat. Thus, a curved shape is possible, as in the example of Figure 10, This shape can be achieved by shortening the length L3 of the sheet of the envelope 37 on one side with respect to the length L4 of the sheet of the other side. Once sealed, the pocket is naturally bent under the mechanical tension exerted.

The above has made it possible to detail different ways to achieve with respect to the exterior (EXT) of the modules, the expected functions of thermal insulation (via the PIV panels) and of thermal transfer retarder (via the one or more MCP materials). Since this goal is aimed at the modules 3 as a whole, it may be preferred that the funds 29 are individually devoid of the first and second layers 15,23. Thus, the temperature will be uniform between the volumes 7.

Both in the embodiment with two aligned modules 3 and active single-band peripheral barrier 50 (as FIG. 1) that in the baffled variants of FIGS. 5, 6 the individualized pockets 19 are at the MCP 15 / PIV 23 complex of one of the aforementioned types, without any being interposed between two funds or between a bottom 29 and an opening 31 opposite. Although not shown, a cover (of the type 32) will preferably close each end opening, between it and the pocket 19. The fluid inlet 33 and outlet 35 allow fluid circulation 9 to and then out of the unit 1.

The pockets 19 are interposed between the modules and the outside, all around the inner volumes 7, in the sense that they extend between them and the outside (EXT), on five faces, with the exception of one front face (FIGS. 5, 6) of small surface area with respect to four of the other five faces where the tubular connections 33, 35 are located. If necessary even this face may be doubled by small pockets 19, or integrate. A box 380 (Figure 6) two-part pockets 380a, 380b, mechanical protection and external maintenance surround the pockets. The tubular connections 33, 35 have their passage holes visible.

In these two embodiments, there are between the volumes of baffles 85 created transverse partitions 87.

5, there is only one body 3. The modular construction is provided by these partitions 87 which form a part of the peripheral wall of each internal volume 7 of the body which is peripherally and laterally closed by the wall 5. The aforementioned elements for storing and restoring thermal energy (not shown) are placed in the volumes 7 thus defined. Through the restricted passages created by the baffles at the end of the partitions 87, the fluid changes volume by volume from the inlet 33 to the opposite outlet 35. The volumes 7 all joined within the wall 5 of the body 3 are globally protected by the double barrier of layers 15 and 23.

Figure 6, this embodiment is duplicated with bodies 3 aligned along an axis 27 and communicating with each other through passages 30, as shown in Figure 1, with internal baffles in each body 3, in addition.

3.4, pockets 19/2 15/23 double barrier thus surround the volume 7 containing the elements 13 between which flows the fluid 9.

Individually here, the pockets are held by protrusions 22 fixed with the peripheral wall 5 of the body 3 considered, two protuberances delimiting between them, laterally and around the peripheral wall, an open space 24 where is disposed at least one of the elements 19 thermal insulators with PIV constitution. Extending around the spaces 24, protuberances 22 and elements 19, the sleeve 38 participates in maintaining the elements 19 in the spaces 24, as shown in FIG. 4.

The growth excrescences 22 may be in several parts. Thus we see a solution where they are in two parts 22a, 22b. The portion 22b is removable and can be fixed, by forming cooperations with each other, with the portion 22a which is integral with the peripheral wall 5, at the outer periphery thereof. The removable portions 22b can each be in the form of a clip or a bit to be engaged by forced elastic deformation, or by lateral sliding around the fixed part 22a. These holding portions 22b may be thermally insulating and include for this a layer 23 of thermal insulating material.

The bodies 3 typically having angles, the protruding growths 22 may be presented as rods extending in the corners, as shown.

Claims (9)

1. A modular heat exchanger storage device comprising, united in a unit: - several modules (3) comprising individually: - a peripheral wall (5.87) - at least one interior volume (7), - at least one communication (30) fluid between the interior volumes (7), for the passage of a fluid (9) refrigerant or coolant, - elements (13,130) for storing and restoring a thermal energy, arranged in said volumes, in thermal exchange with the fluid that can circulate in these volumes under the action of means (6) of circulation, - at least a first layer (15) of material comprising at least one phase change material (PCM), - at least a second layer (23) comprising a porous heat-insulating material disposed in a vacuum chamber, for defining at least one vacuum insulating panel, PIV, said at least first and second layers being interposed around the interior volumes (7) of the dules, between them and outside. 2. Device according to claim 1 wherein the elements (13,130) for storing and restoring thermal energy individually comprise a MCP material. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage and thermal energy storage elements consist of spheres (130) between which the fluid can flow. 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, individually, the peripheral walls comprise a support (5) of moldable material which incorporates at least a portion of the first and second layers (15,23). 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: - individually, the inner volumes (7) are open on one side (31) to allow to put in place or remove said storage elements and restitution of thermal energy and comprise on a opposite side a bottom (29), - the modules are arranged along a line (27) passing through said bottoms and openings, - and the device further comprises, facing the first and last bottom ( s) and / or opening (s) of the line, covers which individually closes a said opening or double a said bottom, the lids being individually provided with a portion of the first and second layers. 6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the bottoms (29) are devoid of the first and second layers. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the second layer (15,23) is at least partially disposed in a series of pockets (19) constituting PIV assembled by intermediate portions (21), some of which less are defined continuously by at least one structure (79) impregnated with a thermal insulating material (81), thus ensuring a continuity of thermal insulation between the pockets. 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least the second layer is at least partially disposed in a series of pockets (19) constituting PIV: - joined by flexible intermediate portions (21) where two pockets successive ones may articulate relative to one another, and - extending with said intermediate portions around said peripheral wall (5). 9. Device according to claim 4, wherein: - individually, the inner volumes (7) are open on one side to allow to put in place or remove said storage elements and thermal energy release and comprise on one opposite side a bottom, - the modules are arranged along a line passing through said bottoms and openings, - the device further comprises, facing the first and last bottom (s) and / or opening (s) of the line, lids which individually close a said opening or double a said bottom, - the first and / or second layers are arranged in a series of pockets (19) PIV constitution whose bottoms and peripheral walls are provided, and if a lid closes a first or last said opening, it is also provided with at least one said pocket.