WO2008148852A1

WO2008148852A1 - A cooling device

Info

Publication number: WO2008148852A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/057012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hakan Karatas; Aydin Celik; Husnu Kerpicci; Isik Ozyaka; Cetin Lale; Mehmet Durmaz
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2007-06-08
Filing date: 2008-06-05
Publication date: 2008-12-11
Also published as: EP2153140A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) that comprises a condenser (3) that occupies less space during packaging and transportation, however is configured to increase heat transfer during usage.

Description

A COOLING DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device that comprises a condenser.

[0002] The cooling devices, for example refrigerators, operate in accordance with a refrigerant cycle wherein the refrigerant fluid is circulated between a condenser, a tube expander and the evaporator. The refrigerant fluid changes from the liquid phase to the gas phase by absorbing the heat of the food items in the body while passing through the evaporator in the cooling device body. Afterwards, the fluid, of which the pressure is increased in the compressor, is cooled and condensed by transferring its heat unto the condenser surface in the condenser. In other words, the performance of the cooling device is indirectly related to lowering the surface temperature of the condenser.

[0003] In the state of the art embodiments , the condenser is mounted flatly, parallel to the body, and is cooled by taking advantage of heating of the air after natural convection and moving from the bottom upwards.

[0004] In the state of the art Great Britain Patent No GB736152, a condenser is disclosed which is mounted in the body in an inclined manner and the effect of this positioning of the condenser on the cooling device performance is explained.

[0005] In the embodiment explained by the Great Britain Patent No GB736155, the cooling device comprises a condenser configured to have an inclined shape, by being bent from two different points, a little below and above the central section thereof, with a concave surface facing the cooling device body.

[0006] In the state of the art another embodiment is explained in the European Patent Application No EP0861409. In this embodiment, a zigzag form is given to the condenser thus increasing the heat transfer surface area and also the rising air is subjected to turbulence by impacting the serpentine shaped condenser surfaces and thus increasing heat transfer efficiency.

[0007] However, in the state of the art these embodiments, positioning the condenser angularly with respect to the body for increasing efficiency or producing with a different geometry gives rise to difficulties in packaging and transportation.

[0008] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device comprising a condenser that is configured to increase heat transfer, which occupies less space during packaging and transportation.

[0009] The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is explicated in the attached claims. The said cooling device comprises a condenser that is brought to an initial form during packaging and transportation and a secondary form that increases heat transfer during usage, which is configured during installation by bending from at least one bending point such that at least one segment thereof will be on a different plane.

[0010] In the cooling device of the present invention, the condenser is in the initial form during transportation, being virtually parallel to the body and thus occupying less space. After the cooling device is transported to the location of use, the condenser is bent from the bending points preferably by the maintenance personnel with an apparatus and brought to the secondary form that will be maintained during usage and which increases heat transfer.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the condenser is secured to the body from that segment which does not change position when bended. In other words, the segment of the condenser moving during the bending operation is not connected to the body. Thus, the condenser-body connection is not disrupted due to the bending operation.

[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the segment of the condenser moving during the bending process is connected to the body with a rotatable or resilient connector. Accordingly, both the movable segment of the condenser is supported and also a connector type is provided that does not make the bending operation difficult.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the bending points are marked on the condenser. Thus, the maintenance personnel is enabled to perform the bending process from the correct point.

[0014] The condenser used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a wire-on-tube type condenser. The condenser comprises a flow tube that forms a continuous circulation conduit by winding in a serpentine form and wires that are arranged vertically on the horizontally extending portions of the said tube.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the condenser is made segmented by cutting from several identified points of the wires along lines parallel to the horizontally extending portions of the flow tube. Thus, after the cooling device is transported to the location of use, the condenser can be easily bent from the points wherein the wires are cut and brought to the secondary form.

[0016] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the condenser is produced as three-segmented. After the cooling device is transported to the location of use, the condenser is brought to an inclined position such that the uppermost and lowermost points are closest to the cooling volume by bending the upper and lower segments, with the middle segment remaining stationary.

[0017] Consequently, the air rising up by heating from the lower segment of the condenser is separated into two upon reaching the flat segment. As the first air current continues to rise from the inside of the flat segment, the second current interacts with the colder ambient air and while following the formed structure of the angular condenser is subjected to turbulence thus cooling the third segment more effectively. Besides the turbulence thus formed, since the geometry of the separately segmented condenser increases the heat transfer area that the air interacts with, the cooling performance of the condenser also increases in proportion with the increased heat transfer area.

[0018] The bending apparatus used in an embodiment of the present invention, comprises two arms positioned in an "L" shape. A housing is formed on one of the arms large enough to contain one pass of the serpentine shaped flow tube. On this arm, furthermore a latch is provided that is formed parallel to the other arm. In order to perform the bending process, the bending apparatus is mounted on the condenser such that one pass of the flow tube is inserted inside the housing and the latch enters under the wires and one segment of the condenser is made angular with respect to the other segments by applying a force in the desired direction on the arm remaining free at the top in this position.

[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, the bending apparatus comprises two arms positioned in a "t" shape. The arm forming the longer portion of the "t" has a stepped configuration when viewed from the side. The short portion of the "t" remains under the lower segment of the stepped configuration. In order to perform the bending process, the bending apparatus is mounted on the condenser such that the short portion of the "t", that is the flat arm remains under the segment of the condenser intended to be bent, and the long portion of the "t", that is the stepped arm, remains under the condenser segment to be bent up to the stepped portion and the rest remains there above. One segment of the condenser is brought to an angular position with respect to the remaining segment by applying a force on the upper segment.

[0020] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the condenser is connected to the compressor and the evaporator with movable connectors. Thus, the problems that may arise in the said connection points are prevented while the bending operation is performed.

[0021] The cooling device of the present invention has a lower transportation cost and also a high efficiency by the condenser being able to be transported by occupying less space in the initial form and having a high heat transfer in the secondary form.

[0022] The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0023] Figure 1 - is the sideways schematic view of a cooling device when the condenser is in the initial (carrying) form.

[0024] Figure 2 - is the sideways schematic view of the cooling device when the condenser is in the secondary (usage) form.

[0025] Figure 3 - is the rear schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 - is the perspective view of a bending apparatus used in an embodiment of the present invention. [0027] Figure 5 - is the perspective view of a bending apparatus used in another embodiment of the present invention. [0028] Figure 6 - is the perspective view of a bending apparatus, placed on the condenser, used in yet another embodiment of the present invention. [0029] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Cooling device

2. Compressor

3. Condenser

4. Flow tube

5. Wire

6. Bending apparatus

7. 17. Arm

8. Housing

9. Latch

[0030] The cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises,

- a body,

- a compressor (2) that maintains the circulation of the refrigerant fluid in the refrigerant cycle and

- a condenser (3) for cooling the refrigerant fluid delivered from the compressor (2) (Figure 1).

[0031] The said condenser (3) is in an initial form during packaging and transportation and brought to a secondary form that increases heat transfer during usage, by applying a force during the installation phase by bending from at least one bending point (X) such that at least one segment thereof will be on a different plane (Figure 1 and Figure 2).

[0032] The condenser (3) is disposed at the rear of the cooling device (1) and is in the initial form being virtually parallel to the body during transportation. After the cooling device (1) is transported to the location of use, the condenser (3) is bent from the bending point (X) such that at least one segment (TP/BP) makes an angle with the body and thus forms a barrier against the air flow in the secondary position. Consequently, the condenser (3) is enabled to effectively transfer the heat contained in the hot fluid flowing therein to the outside air. [0033] The bending operation is performed preferably by maintenance personnel by means of a bending apparatus (6) before the cooling device (1) is used.

[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the condenser (3) is secured to the body from the segment (MP) thereof that does not change position after the bending operation. In other words, the segment (TP/BP) of the condenser (3) that is bent from the bending point (X) and brought to an angular position with the body is not connected to the body. Thus the connector between the condenser (3) and the body is prevented from damages due to the bending operation.

[0035] In another embodiment of the present invention, the segment (TP/BP) of the condenser (3) that is bent from the bending point (X) and brought to an angular position with the body is connected to the body with a movable or resilient connector. Thus, the connector between the condenser (3) and the body is prevented from damage due to the bending operation and the segment (TP/BP) of the condenser (3) that is moved during the bending operation is supported at the same time.

[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the bending points (X) are marked on the condenser (3). Thus, the maintenance personnel who will perform the bending operation is enabled to perform the operation properly.

[0037] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the condenser (3) is brought to the secondary form by bending from two bending points (X). The secondary form of the condenser (3) is such that the segments thereof remain on three planes which are different from one another (Figure 2).

[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the condenser (3) comprises a serpentine shaped flow tube (4) that forms a continuous circulation conduit by winding and wires (5) parallel to each other, arranged vertically on the flow tube (4) for increasing the cooling performance. In this embodiment, the wires (5) are in a discontinuous configuration at the level of at least one bending point (X). In other words in one pass of the serpentine, the wires (5) don't continue between the two adjacent and mutually parallel conduits of the flow tube (4), forming a gap and thus the condenser (3) becomes segmented (Figure 3). This structure can be obtained by producing the wires (5) discontinuously or by cutting the wires (5) before the condenser (3) is mounted to the cooling device (1). In this embodiment of the present invention, the flow tube (4) is bent from the bending points (X) situated at the level at which the wires (5) are cut for bringing to the secondary form.

[0039] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the condenser (3) is produced in three-segments (BP, TP, MP), that is a lower segment (BP), an upper segment (TP) and a middle segment (MP) with the wires (5) being discontinuous at the level of the two bending points (X). After the cooling device (1) is transported to the location of use, the upper and lower segments (TP, BP) are bent to become inclined, with the said middle segment (MP) remaining stationary, such that the uppermost and lowermost points of the condenser (3) are in the closest position to the cooling volume (Figure 2). Thus, during the flow of air by absorbing heat from the condenser (3) segments (BP, TP, MP), a more effective cooling is maintained since at least some portion of the flow tubes (4) form a barrier in front of the air. Moreover, heat transfer is increased by the air entering into turbulence as a result of impacting the flow tubes (4) and rotating.

[0040] The bending apparatus (6) used in an embodiment of the present invention, comprises two arms (7, 17) positioned in an "L" shape", a housing (8) on one of the arms (7) formed large enough to contain one pass of the serpentine shaped flow tube (4) and a latch (9) formed again on the same arm (7) being parallel to the other arm (17). In order to perform the bending process, the bending apparatus (6) is mounted on the condenser (3) such that one pass of the flow tube (4) is inserted inside the housing (8) and the latch (9) enters under the wires (5) and one segment (TP/BP) of the condenser (3) is made angular with respect to the adjacent one (MP) by applying a force in the desired direction on the arm (17) remaining free at the top in this position.

[0041] In another embodiment of the present invention, the bending apparatus (6) comprises two arms (7, 17) positioned in a "t" shape, one of the arms (7) rises windingly after the point of intersection with the other arm (17) and extends in the initial direction at that height. In order to perform the bending process, the bending apparatus (6) is mounted on the condenser (3) such that the flat arm (17) remains under the segment (TP/BP) of the condenser (3) intended to be bent, and the stepped arm (7) remains under the condenser (3) segment (TP/BP) to be bent, up to the stepped portion and the rest remaining above. Force is applied again in the desired direction on the portion of the stepped arm (7) remaining above the condenser (3) segment (TP/BP) to be bent, to bring one condenser (3) segment (TP/BP) to an angular position with respect to the adjacent one (MP).

[0042] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the condenser (3) is connected to the compressor (2) and the evaporator with movable connectors. Thus the problems that may arise in the said connection points are prevented while the bending operation is performed.

[0043] The cooling device (1) of the present invention has both a lower transportation cost and also a high efficiency since the condenser (3) is brought from an initial form enabling to be transported by occupying less space to a high heat transferring secondary form after the transportation.

Claims

1. A cooling device (1) that comprises a body, a compressor (2) that maintains the circulation of the refrigerant fluid in the refrigerant cycle and a condenser (3) for cooling the refrigerant fluid delivered from the compressor (2) and characterized by a condenser (3) which is in an initial form during packaging and transportation and brought to a secondary form that increases heat transfer, by applying force during the installation phase by bending from at least one bending point (X) such that at least one segment (TP/BP) thereof will be on a different plane.

2. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by a condenser (3) secured to the body from only the segment (MP) that does not change position after the bending operation.

3. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by a condenser (3) secured movably to the body from the segment (TP/BP) that is brought to an angular position with respect to the body by bending from the bending point (X).

4. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by marked bending points (X).

5. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a condenser (3) disposed at the rear thereof and being virtually parallel to the body in the initial form, after transported to the location of use, at least one segment (TP/BP) thereof making an angle with the body by bending to bring to the secondary form and thus forming a barrier against the air flow.

6. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a condenser (3) comprising a serpentine shaped flow tube (4) that forms a continuous circulation conduit by winding and wires (5) parallel to each other, arranged vertically on the said flow tube (4) for increasing the cooling performance, having a discontinuous configuration at the level of at least one bending point (X) between the two flow tubes (4) and brought to the secondary form by bending the wires (5) from these points of discontinuity.

7. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a condenser (3), the segments (BP, MP, TP) of which are situated on three planes different from one another in the secondary form.

8. A bending apparatus (6) used for bringing a condenser (3) as in any one of the above claims, from an initial form in the packaging and transportation position to a heat transfer increasing secondary form, that is configured by bending during the installation phase.

9. A bending apparatus (6) as in Claim 8, characterized by two arms (J, 17) positioned in an "L" shape", a housing (8) situated on one of the arms (7) formed large enough to contain one pass of the serpentine shaped flow tube (4) and a latch (9) situated again on the same arm (7) and formed parallel to the other arm (17).

10. A bending apparatus (6) as in Claim 8, characterized by two arms (7, 17) positioned in a "t" shape, one of the arms (7) rising windingly after the point of intersection with the other arm (17) and then extends again in the initial direction at that height.