JP2004069259A - Container for cargo - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container (tank) for cargo having a cooling or heating function suitable for movement and transport. <P>SOLUTION: A tank body 10 in which a panel 12 for flowing heat transfer medium is installed on the wall surface thereof, a refrigerating machine 20 having a cooler 21 for cooling the heat transfer medium fed to the panel 12, and a medium feed means 30 for circulating the heat transfer medium to the cooler 21 and the tank body 10 through a pipeline 30A are assembled together so as to be moved integrally with each other. The medium feed means 30 comprises a sealed type expansion tank 36 of a closed system not allowing the heat transfer medium to come into contact with the outside air. A flexible absorbers 38A and 38B are installed between a pipeline fixed to the tank body 10 and a pipeline fixed to the other member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The claimed invention relates to a cargo container suitable for storing foods and beverages for transportation or the like, such as a container or a tank having a cooling or heating function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
It is desired that the milk tank storing milk has a cooling function to maintain the freshness of milk. A milk tank having a cooling function is described in, for example, JP-A-7-8127.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 7, the milk tank described in the publication includes a tank body 10 ′ having a cooling water passage 12 ′ formed on a wall surface and a cooling water tank (ice bank) 21 ′, such as a pipe 30 A ′. It is constituted by connecting with. The tank body 10 'has a large number of dimples (projections) 12a' formed on one side of a double-walled wall, and a gap is provided between the double walls. It has a jacket structure. Further, the water tank 21 'is connected to the refrigerator 20' so that the cooling water held therein can always be kept at a temperature close to 0 ° C. The cooling water in the water tank 21 'is circulated as brine (heat transfer medium) to the flow path 12' of the tank body 10 'by a brine supply means 30' including a pipe 30A ', a pump 31' and the like. Note that Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-145107 is a prior art document regarding brine supply means.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional milk tank 3 'shown in FIG. 7 cannot be said to be suitable for relocation or transportation. One of the reasons is that the water tank 21 'is large, but the more essential reason is as follows. That is,
[0005]
B) The tank body 10 'and the water tank 21' and the like are not assembled so as to be able to move integrally. For example, when the whole of the milk tank 3 'is moved to another position, the tank body 10', the water tank 21 ', the refrigerator 20', etc. are separately moved to the new position, and after the movement is completed, piping is performed again. Must be connected to each other.
[0006]
B) Even if the tank body 10 'and the water tank 21' are connected by a frame or the like so as to be easily moved, the tank body 10 'alone cannot be suitable for transportation. Unless the frame for connection is a completely rigid body, a relative displacement occurs between the tank body 10 ′ and the water tank 21 ′ due to vibration during transportation and a concentrated load during unloading (lifting), and the pipe 30A ′ and each of the pipes 30A ′ This is because an excessive force acts on the connection with the device.
[0007]
C) Since the open-to-atmosphere water tank 21 'is used, the amount of cooling water is reduced due to evaporation or the like, and dust may enter the cooling water. Since the cooling water has a volume change due to a temperature change, it is not appropriate to completely seal the water tank 21 ′ with a lid, and therefore, it is difficult to avoid the problems of a decrease in the amount of water and dust contamination. When transporting the milk tank, the amount of water is likely to decrease due to the rising of the water surface, and dust is also likely to be mixed.
[0008]
An object of the claimed invention is to provide a cargo container (such as a tank) having a cooling or heating function, which is suitable for relocation and transportation.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The cargo container described in claim 1 is
a) A container body (tank, container, etc.) in which a flow path of a heat transfer medium (a medium for cooling or heating the wall, such as brine; cooling water in the example of FIG. 7) is formed on the wall. The tank body 10 '), a cooler (a heat exchanger or the like; a water tank 21' in the example of FIG. 7) for cooling or heating the heat transfer medium sent to the wall surface of the container body, and pipes for the cooler and the container body. A medium supply unit (including a fluid device such as a pump; in the example of FIG. 7, a brine supply unit 30 ′) that circulates a heat transfer medium by a passage system (a system connected by pipes) can be integrally moved. Assembling,
b) The medium supply means is of a closed system that does not allow the heat transfer medium to come into contact with the outside air, and is a closed type (also a form that does not allow the heat transfer medium to come into contact with the outside air). Means for suppressing the pressure change due to a change in the volume for containing).
c) As a part of the medium supply means, a flexible pipe (such as a hose) is provided between the pipe fixed to the container body and the pipe fixed to another member.
It is characterized by the following.
[0010]
Such cargo containers have the following operational characteristics. That is,
According to the above a), the heat transfer medium cooled or heated by the cooler is sent to the wall surface (flow path) of the container body by the medium supply means, so that the inside of the container body, that is, the cargo storage space is cooled. Or it has the function of heating. The container body may be configured in a tank, for example, to hold a liquid such as milk (milk) in a cooled state (or a heated state), or the container body may be configured in a box-shaped container to similarly store foods. It is also preferable to do so.
[0011]
-Since the container body, the cooler and the medium supply means are assembled so as to be able to move together as shown in a), it is easy to relocate the whole, and it is also possible to transport cargoes inside. Are suitable. This is because the entire cargo container can be easily lifted in a lump or mounted on a transportation means such as a truck.
[0012]
・ Even if the load is concentrated on some equipment or frames during lifting, or if some equipment is displaced due to vibration during truck transportation, etc., it will be connected to the pipeline connecting the container body and the cooler / heater. There is no danger of excessive force acting. As described in c) above, a flexible pipe (such as a hose) is provided between the pipe fixed to the container body and the pipe fixed to another member (such as a cooler or a frame). This is because the relative displacement between the container body and other members is absorbed. Therefore, with this cargo container, regardless of the transportation route (land, sea, air) and transportation means (truck, ship, aircraft), and regardless of the skill of the cargo handling work, the dynamics on the pipe and the equipment connected to it It can be said that the target burden is light.
[0013]
-Since the medium supply means is configured as a closed system as described in b) above, the heat transfer medium is unlikely to be reduced due to evaporation, splashing, etc., and there is little possibility that dust is mixed into the medium. Therefore, the container can be used for a long time without performing special maintenance. Although the medium supply means is a closed system, since the supply means is provided with the expansion tank, the pressure of the heat transfer medium does not rise or fall inappropriately due to the volume change due to the temperature change. Moreover, since the expansion tank itself is also a closed type, there is no fear that the medium is reduced or dust is mixed due to the expansion tank. In addition, since the closed-medium supply means including the closed expansion tank does not allow the heat transfer medium to come into contact with air during operation, no new oxygen is dissolved into the medium, and therefore the flow of the heat transfer medium is not increased. There is also an advantage that the corrosion of the road and the pipeline system can be suppressed. In addition, any of the features described here regarding the quantity, properties, and pressure of the heat transfer medium is extremely useful as a container for cargo transportation, which does not require special maintenance during transportation, even though it is used for a long time. All that is preferred.
[0014]
The cargo container according to claim 2, further comprising: means for discharging air in the pipeline system when the heat transfer medium is not flowing (such as a vent hole with a plug provided at the upper part of the pipeline). And means for separating and discharging air from the heat transfer medium when the heat transfer medium is flowing (a commercially available automatic air release valve or the like).
[0015]
According to the cargo container of the present invention, air can be effectively discharged from the pipeline system in the medium supply means or the flow path (formed on the wall surface) of the container body. When a new heat transfer medium is injected into the pipe system or the flow path, air remaining inside or mixed with the injection can be discharged by the former means, and when the heat transfer medium is flowed and circulated, This is because air mixed in the heat transfer medium and moving as bubbles can be separated and discharged by the latter means.
If air enters the pipe system of the medium supply means or the flow path of the container body, the pump that circulates the heat transfer medium causes so-called air to be unable to continue smooth operation, and the air is heated. There is a possibility that the movement may be hindered and the function of cooling or heating the container body may be reduced. Therefore, if air can be discharged as described above by the cargo container of the present invention, the cargo container can be used stably for a long period of time, and the thermal performance of the container body can be enhanced.
In addition, a commercially available automatic air release valve includes a container in which bubbles contained in the fluid flowing through the pipe line are collected, and when a certain amount or more of air is accumulated in the container, the buoyant body floats and opens the air discharge valve. And so on.
[0016]
The cargo container according to claim 3 is further characterized in that the medium supply means is provided with an in-pipe observation means (such as a sight glass) having a transparent wall surface.
[0017]
Discharging air from the heat transfer medium is an important technical matter for a cargo container that circulates the medium through a flow path of the container body as described above. Therefore, it is originally desirable to confirm whether or not the air in the medium has been sufficiently discharged during the test operation or the commercial operation. However, it is generally difficult to know the amount of air mixed in the medium by observing the inside of the medium supply means from outside during operation, especially when the medium supply means is configured as a closed system. .
In this regard, in the cargo container of the present invention, since the above-described in-pipe observation means is provided in the medium supply means, the state of air entrainment in the heat transfer medium can be externally observed through the transparent wall surface. Can be. If the observation means is used while circulating the medium during operation, it is possible to observe how much air bubbles and the like are contained in the flow, and thereby confirm the degree of air discharge and the amount of air mixed. By observing in this way and reducing the amount of air mixed in at the test run stage, and then starting commercial operation, it is possible to further improve the stability and function of the cargo container. it can.
[0018]
In particular, the cargo container according to claim 4 connects the above-mentioned closed type expansion tank upward from the pipeline system of the medium supply means, and, as the expansion tank, from the storage space for the heat transfer medium and the storage space. And an air discharging means at an upper portion (referred to as an upper portion in an expansion tank).
[0019]
The air contained in the pipe system of the medium supply means is generally lighter than the heat transfer medium, and thus gathers at a higher position inside the pipe or the like. Also in the expansion tank described above, when it is closed and connected upward from the pipe system of the medium supply means, there is a possibility that air may accumulate in a space of the tank that originally stores the heat transfer medium. If the temperature rises in a state where a large amount of air accumulates therein, the air may flow out to the pipeline system of the medium supply means and cause the above-described inconvenience.
However, as in the cargo container of this claim, when an expansion tank having a heat transfer medium storage space and a means for discharging air from the storage space in the upper portion is used as the expansion tank, air that can accumulate as described above can be obtained. Can be easily discharged. This is because, when the accommodation space for the heat transfer medium is provided in the upper part, air accumulates in the accommodation space from the upper part. That is, even if air enters (or remains in) the expansion tank via the upward connection path from the pipe system of the medium supply means, the air accumulates in the upper part of the tank and the air in the upper part of the tank is discharged. Means can be discharged smoothly.
If the expansion tank having the above-described configuration is arranged at an elevated position in the pipeline system of the medium supply means, air that tends to accumulate in a portion of the pipeline system other than the tank is also reduced. (Air discharging means).
[0020]
The cargo container according to claim 5 is further characterized in that the medium supply means is provided with a pressure regulating valve for limiting the maximum pressure of the heat transfer medium.
[0021]
Since the expansion tank is provided, fluctuations in the pressure of the medium due to temperature changes are normally sufficiently suppressed in the medium supply means in the cargo container. However, if the container is transported to a remote location due to freight transportation or the like, an unexpected situation may occur with respect to the environment and use conditions. For example, the pressure of the medium may be extremely increased when the apparatus is continuously exposed to direct sunlight in a tropical area, or when a volume change occurs in the pipe system of the medium supply means by hitting an object.
In this regard, the cargo container according to the present invention, in which the medium supply means is provided with the pressure regulating valve, does not cause an abnormal pressure increase in the heat transfer medium even in such an unexpected situation. This is because the above-described pressure regulating valve prevents an increase in pressure due to any cause such as a temperature change and a volume change. This means that the cargo container of this claim can always carry cargo smoothly to a remote place or the like.
[0022]
The cargo container according to claim 6 is preferably
-Forming a flow path of the heat transfer medium on the wall surface of the container body as a plurality of panels,
A header (a flow divider) is provided on each of the medium supply means on the sending side of the heat transfer medium from the cooler to the panel and on the return side from the panel to the cooler,
・ An independent parallel pipe line was formed between the two headers for each panel or for each panel group in which a plurality of panels were connected in series.
It is characterized by the following.
[0023]
In such a cargo container, since the flow paths of the heat transfer medium are configured in parallel, the flow path resistance is small as a whole, and the pressure required to circulate the medium is low. Therefore, the container body can be cooled effectively. Further, since the flow path resistance is small, the fluctuation of the brine flow rate is small, and cooling can be performed uniformly.
There is also an advantage that piping work and subsequent handling are easy. For example, since the pipeline system in the medium supply means is independent for each panel or each panel group as described above, it is not difficult to construct a plurality of pipeline systems simultaneously in parallel. In addition, when an abnormality is recognized by the flow meter or the pressure gauge, it is easy to specify a location where the abnormality occurs. In addition, even if there is a problem with some of the pipelines, the other systems function normally without being affected, so it is unlikely that the cooling (or heating) function will stop completely, and stable performance will be exhibited. You.
[0024]
In particular, the cargo container according to claim 7, wherein the container body is a tank for transporting a liquid (milk or the like) and a container for transporting a solid (fresh vegetables or the like). It is characterized.
[0025]
The tank and the container configured as described above are very suitable for transporting foodstuffs and the like (transport on land / sea or by air). The cooling (or heating) function of the cargo container described above, the fact that it is easy to move and transport as a single unit, no inconvenience due to vibration, etc., and the point that no special maintenance is required for the heat transfer medium, etc. This enables the transportation of foodstuffs and the like in an appropriate manner that has not been achieved before.
In addition, when the inside of the container is configured and cooled, there is an advantage that cargo such as vegetables can be protected from drying or excessive cooling, and can be refrigerated and stored in a state where the quality is hardly deteriorated. This is because the inside is cooled by flowing the heat transfer medium through the flow path on the wall surface, as described above, instead of using a cooling method that mainly blows out cold air.
[0026]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing the whole of the medium supply means 30 together with the cooler 21 and the panel 12 of the tank body 10, and FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing a refrigerator 20 including the cooler 21. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the entire tank 1 as a cargo container. 4 is a view showing a part of the tank 1 of FIG. 3, wherein FIG. 4 (a) is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 (b) is a detailed view of a part b in FIG. FIG. 4C is a sectional view taken along the line cc in FIG. FIG. 5 is a view taken in the direction of arrows VV in FIG.
[0027]
The tank 1 shown in FIG. 3 is a cargo container used to put milk (milk) inside and transport it while refrigerated. In addition to the tank body (container body) 10 for holding milk at a low temperature, a refrigerator 20 and a medium supply means for circulating brine (a heat transfer medium, an antifreeze described later in this example) between the tank body 10 and the refrigerator 20. 30 are integrally assembled using the frame 15.
[0028]
The tank body 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (a), and both end portions are closed by a smoothly bulging end plate near the center. Since it stores milk and the like, it is needless to say that basic components such as an inlet and an outlet for the milk and accessories are provided. The following structure is added to the tank body 10 so that the milk and the like inside can be cooled and kept at a low temperature.
[0029]
First, a plurality of panels 12 (12A to 12D) having a flow path for flowing brine thereinside are overlapped and joined to the outside of the wall surface 11 of the tank body 10. As shown in FIG. 3, four panels 12 were attached to each of the left and right side surfaces of the tank body 10, and the total number was eight. As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the tank body 10 has a heat insulating material 11A made of urethane foam and a protective material 11B made of hard FRP laminated in this order on the outside of a wall surface 11 made of stainless steel. On the other hand, each of the panels 12 is curved along the outer surface of the wall surface 11 and is formed in a curved plate shape as a whole.
[0030]
Cooling of the contents (milk or the like) of the tank body 10 is performed by flowing low-temperature (around -1 ° C.) brine into the space formed between the panel 12 and the wall surface 11. Since the brine is directly brought into contact with the wall surface 11 of the tank body 10 and cooled without intervening other members or an air space, the content can be effectively cooled. Moreover, since there is not only a space inside the panel 12 for simply filling the brine, but also a continuous area for defining the flow path and flowing the brine without stagnation, the brine 12 is formed anywhere in the space. The flow is fast and therefore the cooling is strong and efficient.
[0031]
The continuous area inside each panel 12 is formed as shown in FIG. 4C (the same applies to the panels 12A, 12C, and 12D other than the illustrated 12B). That is, the frame plate 12b is welded tightly to the entire periphery of the rectangular curved plate 12a made of stainless steel without any gap, and the plurality of partition plates 12c are attached to the inside (concave side) of the curved plate 12a by welding. . By appropriately setting the length of the partition plate 12c and the connection relationship between each partition plate 12c and the frame plate 12b, a continuous area 12d is formed from one corner of the panel 12 to one other corner. To be done. At the corners of the continuation area 12d where corners are formed, triangular small pieces 12e are fixed to outer corners to facilitate the flow. An inlet 12j is provided at a corner portion (upper right portion in FIG. 3) corresponding to one end of the continuous region 12d, and an outlet 12k is provided at the other corner portion (lower left portion in FIG. 3). Is formed.
[0032]
Such a panel 12 is attached to the outside of the wall surface 11 of the tank body 10 (inside of the heat insulating material 11c) as shown in FIG. The attachment is performed such that the curved plate 12a is on the outside and the frame plate 12b and the partition plate 12c are in contact with the wall surface 11, and the entire periphery of the frame plate 12b is welded. It is more preferable to weld between the plate 12c and the wall surface 11). When attached in this manner, the continuous area 12d formed on the panel 12 becomes a flow path for brine between the panel 12 and the wall surface 11, and continues from the inlet 12j to the outlet 12k. Reference numeral 12m in FIG. 4C is a plug for an air vent hole (not shown) provided at the uppermost part of each panel 12. The air vent hole and the plug 12m may be provided at one place where air can be easily vented from the entire inside of each panel 12, or may be provided at each corner in the upper part of the continuous area 12d.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 15 that integrally supports the tank body 10 and a refrigerator 20 and the like described below has high rigidity while reducing the weight, and is used during transportation or during cargo handling (when being lifted). The deformation and the like of the tank body 10 are suppressed as much as possible. The specific configuration of the frame 15 for that purpose is as follows.
[0034]
First, the horizontal frame member 16A extending in the longitudinal direction of the tank body 10 is arranged in parallel on both lower sides (the front side and the back side in FIG. 3) of the tank body 10, and the tank body 10 is interposed therebetween. Are connected to the saddle 16B for supporting the tank body extending in the width direction. Then, an arch-shaped upper frame member 16C is connected to the upper portion of the horizontal frame member 16A so as to connect both ends thereof. At the same time, the horizontal frame member 16A and the upper frame member 16C are connected by a vertical frame member 16D at portions other than both ends.
The connection between the horizontal frame member 16A and the vertical frame member 16D is performed at a connection portion between the horizontal frame member 16A and the support saddle 16B.
The connecting portion 16E between the upper frame member 16C and the vertical frame member 16D is also connected to the wall surface 11 of the tank body 10.
-Both ends of each horizontal frame member 16A located near both ends of the tank main body 10 are connected to an end frame member 16F formed in a quadrilateral so as to surround the tank main body 10, and the horizontal frame member among the end frame members 16F The upper corner portion not connected to the member 16A is connected to the connecting portion 16E via the support frame member 16G.
-The uppermost parts of the two upper frame members 16C are connected to each other by an upper beam member 16H or the like.
[0035]
According to the frame 15 configured as described above, despite the small amount of the frame material used, the displacement generated in the tank body 10 due to the reinforcing action of the arch-shaped upper frame material 16C or the like is suppressed, and the mechanical burden is reduced. It can be reduced effectively. That is, most of the weight of the tank body 10 acting on the horizontal frame member 16A via the support saddle 16B acts downward on the upper frame member 16C via the vertical frame member 16D, but the upper frame member 16C has an arch shape. Because it has an upwardly convex curve, it forms an axially compressed state and hardly bends, and is hardly displaced downward. The tank body 10 is effectively reinforced by such an upper frame material 16C and the like, and even if the middle of the horizontal frame material 16A is not supported at all during loading or transporting, bending generated in the tank body 10 is suppressed. .
[0036]
The refrigerator 20 which is a means for cooling the brine flowing to the panel 12 of FIG. 3 is configured according to FIG. That is, the compressor 22, the condenser 23, the liquid receiver 24, the expansion valve 25, and the cooler 21 are connected in this order by the pipe 20A, and the accumulator 26A, the filter dryer 26B, the sight glass (in-pipe observation means). 26C, a solenoid valve 26D, a CVQ 26E, etc. are also provided in the pipeline 20A as shown in the figure. The cooler 21 used as a cooler / cooler for the brine is an evaporator that forms a part of the refrigerator 20, and exchanges heat between the refrigerant in the refrigerator 20 and the brine in the medium supply unit 30 described below. .
[0037]
The brine circulated, that is, the brine cooled by the cooler 21 is flown to each panel 12 (a panel group in which the panels 12A and 12B and the panels 12C and 12D are connected in series as shown in FIG. 3), and then cooled again. The return to the normal state is performed by the medium supply means 30 shown in FIG. The medium supply means 30 connects a plurality of devices via a pipeline 30A, sends the brine cooled by the cooler 20 to the header 32 on the delivery side, and circulates a plurality (four in the example in the figure) there. It is branched into pipes, and is passed through each pipe and in parallel to each panel 12 (the panel group described above). The brine that has passed through each panel group passes through a circulation pipe on the return side, is collected into one pipe by the header 34 on the return side, and is sent to the cooler 7 again. The circulation pipes branched as described above are provided with opening adjustment valves 33 at positions near the headers 32 and 34, respectively. As the brine, an antifreeze obtained by mixing water (40%) and propylene glycol (60%) is used. Since this liquid has a low freezing temperature of about −16 ° C., there is no possibility that the brine will grow as ice inside the medium supply means 30, so that the cooler 21 and the like can be made compact.
[0038]
The following devices are connected to the conduit 30A of the medium supply means 30 together with the headers 32 and 34 and the like. First, a pump 31 is provided between the return header 34 and the cooler 21 as means for sending brine. Further, a drain valve 32a for directly extracting the brine and a relief valve 32b as a pressure regulating valve (safety valve) for limiting the maximum pressure are provided directly connected to the header 32 on the delivery side. A connector 34b for brine injection is connected to the header 34 on the return side together with a check valve 34a. On the downstream side of the header 34 on the return side, for the purpose of reducing the amount of air mixed in the brine, a sight glass 35 having a transparent wall made of glass in part and enabling internal observation from outside, An automatic air bleed valve 37 is provided for separating and discharging air from the flowing brine. A gas-filled bladder (elastic bag) is provided between the sight glass 35 and the automatic air bleed valve 37 in order to prevent a change in brine volume due to a change in temperature from exerting a pressure load on the brine piping. (Not shown) is connected to the expansion tank 36. The expansion tank 36 is connected via a flexible pipe 36b and a pipe 36a extending upward from a vertically upper portion of the pipe 30A so that a space in the tank for accommodating brine is provided at an upper position. The top of the tube 36a is provided with an air vent hole with a plug 36c that can be opened and closed. In addition to the so-called closed type in which the expansion tank 16 accommodates brine in a closed space and cuts off contact with the atmosphere, the medium supply means 30 includes a storage tank of an open-to-air type, such as a storage tank that is open to the atmosphere. It is configured as a closed system that does not include a contact part.
[0039]
A plurality of flexible pipes (absorbers 38) each of which is connected to a short pipe made of synthetic rubber between joint portions at both ends are connected to the pipe 30A of the medium supply means 30. Considering that the tank 1 is used for transporting milk or the like, an excessive mechanical load is not applied to the pipeline 30A (or a connection portion therewith) due to relative displacement between the devices due to vibration or the like during transport. It is like that. First, the absorbers 38 are provided at two locations (absorbers 38A and 38B; see also FIG. 3) on the upstream side of the sending-out header 32 and on the downstream side of the return-side header 34. While both the headers 32 and 34 and a portion such as the panel 12 connected between them are fixed to the tank body 10 or the frame 15, the other portions (the closer to the cooler 21 than the headers 32 and 34) are. 5) is fixed to the support frame 20B (connected to the frame 15 by welding or the like) in FIG. 5 together with the refrigerator 20 and the like, and relative displacement easily occurs between both parts. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, similar absorbers 38C and 38D are connected to the upstream and downstream sides of the pump 31. The pump 31 is fixed to the support frame 20B of FIG. 5 together with the front and rear portions, the refrigerator 20, and the like, but because of its large weight, it may be subjected to vibration displacement or the like independently of the others. Since the expansion tank 36 also has a relatively large weight, a flexible tube 36b having the same function as that of the absorber 38 is connected to the tube 36a to eliminate the inconvenience due to the relative displacement.
[0040]
In addition to the above, a check valve 30B, a pressure gauge 30C, a thermostat 30D, an on-off valve 30E, a strainer 30F, and the like are also appropriately connected to the conduit 30A. In addition, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, an air vent hole provided with a plug 30M is provided in a high position of the pipeline 30A so that the internal air can be smoothly discharged when a new brine is injected. I have.
[0041]
FIG. 5 is a view of the tank 1 of FIG. 3 viewed from one end (a view taken along the arrow VV). At the end on the illustrated side, together with the entire refrigerator 20, devices included in a portion of the medium supply means 30 closer to the refrigerator 20 than the absorber 38 are attached to the support frame 20 </ b> B. The support frame 20B is fixed to the frame 15 in FIG. 3 by bolts and nuts. Reference numeral 27 in FIG. 5 denotes a control panel, and reference numeral 28 denotes a fan.
[0042]
FIG. 6 shows another example of the embodiment of the invention, in which a container 2 as a cargo container is shown in a perspective view (including a transparent portion). The container 2 is a container suitable for transporting fresh vegetables and the like inside while refrigerated. The container 2 also includes a refrigerator 50 as shown in the figure, and brine (heat transfer medium) cooled by a cooler (cooler) in the refrigerator 50 is used to convert the brine (heat transfer medium) into the wall surface 41 of the container body 40 as shown in the figure. The internal space is cooled by flowing through the flow path in the panel 42 disposed on the (inner side). A door 41a is provided at the end opposite to the side where the refrigerator 50 is arranged, and the door 41a is opened and closed to carry in and out the cargo. Also in this container 2, the medium supply means 60 including a pipe 60 </ b> A and a pump is provided to circulate brine between each panel 42 (a group of panels in which 2 to 3 panels 42 are connected in series) and the refrigerator 50. Provided. The container body 40, the refrigerator 50, and the medium supply means 60 are integrally assembled so as to be suitable for transportation.
[0043]
Although not shown in detail (see FIG. 1 and the like), the following configuration and equipment are also used for the medium supply means 60 of the container 2 to enhance suitability for cargo transportation. That is,
-The closed expansion tank was connected to the pipeline 60A, and the air supply type equipment was not used in other parts, and the medium supply means 60 was a closed circuit.
A header is provided on each side of the brine from the cooler of the refrigerator 50 to the panel 42 and on the return side from the panel 42 to the cooler, and between the two headers, an independent panel is provided for each panel group. Pipe lines are formed in parallel.
A flexible pipe (absorber) is provided in a part of the pipe 60A in a portion where relative displacement is likely to occur due to vibration during transportation or the like, for example, in a portion laid across the container body 40 and the refrigerator 50.
-An air vent hole (with a plug) is provided in a portion passing through a high position in the pipe 60A, an upper portion of the panel 42, and the like. The pipe to the expansion tank was also connected upward from the pipe line 60A, and air was stored in the upper part of the expansion tank, and the stored air was discharged from the upper part.
-An automatic air bleed valve that can separate and discharge air when brine is flowing is connected to a part of the pipeline 60A. In addition, a sight glass (in-pipe observing means) capable of externally checking the amount of air mixed in the flow is also included in the pipe 60A.
-A safety valve (relief valve) for limiting the maximum pressure of the brine is connected to a part of the line 60A.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
The cargo container according to the first aspect has the following effects.
・ The inside of the container body can be cooled or heated, so it is useful for putting foods and the like.
・ Since the container body, the cooler and the medium supply means can be moved together, it is suitable for relocating the whole or for transporting cargo inside.
・ Since a flexible pipe is provided in the pipeline, the mechanical load on the pipe and the equipment connected to it is small during transportation and cargo handling.
・ Since the closed expansion tank is used and the medium supply means is configured as a closed system, the container can be used smoothly for a long time for transportation or other purposes without special maintenance of the heat transfer medium. .
[0045]
According to the cargo container described in claim 2, since the air can be effectively discharged from the medium supply means, the cargo container can be used stably for a long period of time, and the thermal performance of the container body can be enhanced. Can be
With the cargo container according to the third aspect, the state of air mixing in the heat transfer medium can be observed and confirmed from the outside, so that the stability of operation and the height of the function can be further improved.
According to the cargo container of the fourth aspect, air that easily accumulates in the expansion tank can be smoothly discharged.
In the cargo container according to the fifth aspect, an abnormal increase in the pressure of the heat transfer medium does not occur due to any situation such as transportation. Therefore, the transportation of cargo to a remote place or the like can always be carried out smoothly.
[0046]
The cargo container according to claim 6, further comprising:
-Since the pipes of the medium supply means exist in parallel, the flow path resistance is small as a whole, and the pressure required to circulate the heat transfer medium is low.
・ Piping work and subsequent handling are easy, and performance such as cooling is stably exhibited.
The cargo container according to claim 7 is particularly suitable for transporting foodstuffs and the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of the embodiment of the present invention, and is a system diagram showing the entirety of a medium supply means 30 together with a cooler / heater 21 and a panel 12 of a tank body 10. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing a refrigerator 20 including the cooler 21 of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing the entirety of the tank 1 as a cargo container including the tank body 10 of FIG.
4 is a view showing a part of the tank 1 of FIG. 3, wherein FIG. 4 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3, FIG. FIG. 4C is a sectional view taken along the line cc in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line VV in the tank 1 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of the embodiment of the invention and showing a container 2 as a cargo container.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the whole of a conventional milk tank.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 tank (cargo container)
2 containers (freight containers)
10 Tank body (container body)
11 Wall
12 (12A-12D) Panel
15 frames
20 refrigerator
21 Cooler (cooler)
30 Medium supply means
31 pump
32/34 header
35 Sight glass (in-pipe observation means)
36 Expansion tank
37 Automatic air release valve
38 (38A-38D) Absorber (flexible pipe)
40 container body
42 panels
50 refrigerator
60 medium supply means

Claims (7)

A container body having a heat transfer medium flow path formed on the wall surface, a cooler for cooling or heating the heat transfer medium to be sent to the wall surface of the container body, and a heat transfer medium by a pipe system for the cooler and the container body And a medium supply means for circulating are assembled so as to be able to move together,
The medium supply means is a closed system that does not allow the heat transfer medium to come into contact with the outside air, includes a closed expansion tank, and includes a pipe fixed to the container body and a pipe fixed to another member. A cargo container characterized by having a flexible conduit in between. The medium supply means includes means for discharging air in the pipeline system when the heat transfer medium is not flowing, and means for separating and discharging air from the heat transfer medium when the heat transfer medium is flowing. The cargo container according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The cargo container according to claim 1, wherein the medium supply means is provided with an in-pipe observation means having a transparent wall surface. The above-mentioned closed type expansion tank is connected upward from the pipeline system of the medium supply means, and has a storage space for the heat transfer medium and a means for discharging air from the storage space at the top. The cargo container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The cargo container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the medium supply means is provided with a pressure regulating valve for limiting a maximum pressure of the heat transfer medium. The flow path of the heat transfer medium on the wall surface of the container body is provided as a plurality of panels, and the side of the medium supply means which sends out the heat transfer medium from the cooler to the panel and the return side from the panel to the cooler. A header is provided for each, and between the two headers, an independent parallel pipeline is formed for each panel or for each panel group in which a plurality of panels are connected in series. The cargo container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The cargo container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the container body is a tank for containing and transporting a liquid or a container for containing and transporting a solid.

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