WO2012072077A1 - Dispositif de déshumidification - Google Patents

Dispositif de déshumidification Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012072077A1
WO2012072077A1 PCT/DK2011/000144 DK2011000144W WO2012072077A1 WO 2012072077 A1 WO2012072077 A1 WO 2012072077A1 DK 2011000144 W DK2011000144 W DK 2011000144W WO 2012072077 A1 WO2012072077 A1 WO 2012072077A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
dehumidifying
devices
cold sink
gas
essentially
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DK2011/000144
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Peter De Place Rimmen
Original Assignee
Danfoss Solars Inverters A/S
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Danfoss Solars Inverters A/S filed Critical Danfoss Solars Inverters A/S
Publication of WO2012072077A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012072077A1/fr

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B21/00—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
    • F25B21/02—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
    • H05K5/02—Details
    • H05K5/0212—Condensation eliminators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B27/00—Machines, plants or systems, using particular sources of energy
    • F25B27/002—Machines, plants or systems, using particular sources of energy using solar energy

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a dehumidifying device, comprising at least one cold sink device that is at least in part and/or at least at times absorbing thermal energy.
  • said dehumidifying device is used for an essentially closed cavity device.
  • the invention relates to a cavity device, preferably to an essentially closed cavity device, more preferably to a cabinet device, in particular to a control cabinet device.
  • the invention relates to a method for dehumidifying a cavity device, preferably for dehumidifying an essentially closed cavity device, more preferably for dehumidifying a cabinet device, in particular for dehumidifying a control cabinet device.
  • the cabinet has to provide additional protection as well.
  • the cabinet has to offer additional protection against rain, snow, hail or wild animals. This can usually be dealt with by using a certain design and arrangement of the cabinet, including the use of additional sealings.
  • Another problem arises if the cabinet is located in an environment where the temperature is changing significantly, in particular if the respective electric, electromagnetic and electronic components are not operated constantly and therefore a heating effect by generated waste heat is missing. In such conditions, in particular in somewhat more humid climates, these temperature changes will usually result in a condensation of humidity inside the cabinet. Such condensation is harmful for various reasons, both on the short-term, as well as on the long-term.
  • the condensation can lead to electrical shortings and/or bad electrical contacts. Both effects can compromise the reliability of the respective circuitry and/or can even lead to the destruction of the circuitry or at least of components of the circuitry. Furthermore, the condensation will lead to corrosion effects, shortening the lifetime of the product.
  • a particular example is electric converters for solar power plants, in particular for photovoltaic solar power plants.
  • the electric converters or certain other types of electric
  • the volume of air exchanged can make up some 10 to 20% of the interior volume of the cabinet in real applications. Therefore, humidity is regularly introduced into the inside of the cabinet, which can consequently lead to the generation of condensation. To avoid the adverse effects connected with such condensation, it has been proposed to build the cabinet essentially airtight. However, such an approach has adverse effects as well. First of all, the resulting cabinet will be heavier, more spacious and in particular more expensive as compared to standard cabinets. Another problem is the mechanical fatigue of the cabinet, induced by varying mechanical loads due to the changing pressure differences between the outside and the inside of the cabinet. This will essentially lead to fluid leaks of the cabinet, so that the previous situation occurs once again. To make a cabinet airtight for elongated times is even more problematic and expensive.
  • an airtight cabinet can be bothersome as well, if the cabinet has to be opened for maintenance reasons or the like. Also, even during such short opening times, air humidity can enter the cabinet, once again resulting in a possible condensation inside the cabinet.
  • a dehumidifying device in particular a dehumidifying device for an essentially closed cavity device, comprising at least one cold sink device that is at least in part and/or at least at times absorbing thermal energy, in a way that said dehumidifying device comprises at least one gas orifice device, wherein said at least one gas orifice device is designed and arranged in a way that incoming gas is directed at least in part and/or at least at times towards at least one of said cold sink devices.
  • the cold sink device should be at least in part and/or at least at times at a temperature below the temperature of the incoming gas.
  • the temperature of the incoming gas (usually air) will be approximately identical to the temperature of the ambient temperature (i.e.
  • the relative humidity of the gas will increase (the absolute water content will remain the same, unless condensation occurs). At some point, when the relative humidity of the gas is reaching approximately 100% (or even lower, depending on the surface), condensation will occur at the cold sink surfaces and hence humidity is removed from the gas (absolute water content of the gas is reduced). If the gas is later on warming up, preferably back to its original temperature or even above (for example due to waste heat of components, arranged inside the closed cavity device), the relative humidity of the gas will be decreased.
  • an essentially closed cavity device usually a cavity is meant, where the main mechanism for the exchange of gas (usually air) between the inside and the outside of the closed cavity is a "breathing" effect due to a repetitive change of the gas temperature inside the closed cavity that is in turn causing a volume change, leading to an influx and an efflux of ambient gas.
  • a cold sink device essentially all available and/or all possible devices can be used. In particular, devices with a comparatively high thermal
  • a dehumidifying device of the proposed design can be easily built with a relatively compact volume. This enables the humidifying device to be placed into already present electric cabinets (usually even if components, already being mounted inside the cabinet are considered). This enables a favourable "add-in” or “retrofit” solution. Even if slight changes in the design or the arrangement of the inner components of the cabinet have to be made, it is still comparatively easy and inexpensive to use the presently suggested dehumidifying device. As an orifice device, all different types of devices can be used.
  • it can be simply a bore, some kind of a fluid channel, an opening in another device, some kind of a tube, airflow guiding plates or the like.
  • a device is used that shows a more or less directed gas flow behaviour in at least one direction, in particular near the cold sink device.
  • essentially all different types of methods can be used.
  • the cooling can be provided, for example, by cooling it down during the night or by providing a cooling media like a liquid.
  • Alternatively or (preferably) additionally latent heat effects can be used as well for cooling (i.e.
  • the dehumidifying device comprises at least one (main) inlet opening and at least one (main) outlet opening.
  • the at least one (main) inlet opening and the at least one (main) outlet opening are intended to connect to the interior of the essentially closed cavity device.
  • the major airflow within the dehumidifying device and/or within the essentially closed cavity device will usually be defined by the at least one (main) inlet opening and the at least one (main) outlet opening,. Due to this major airflow, usually a constant dehumidifying action of the dehumidifying device will occur. Due to this dehumidifying action, the
  • the gas orifice device is different from the at least one (main) inlet opening and/or the at least one (main) outlet opening of the dehumidifying device, and has furthermore a (considerably and/or significantly) smaller air cross-section as compared to those (main) inlet/outlet openings.
  • the gas orifice device typically can be considered as a third opening, being different from the at least one (main) inlet opening and/or the at least one (main) outlet opening of the dehumidifying device and/or pointing to another "direction".
  • the gas orifice device forms a connection between the outside and the interior of the essentially closed cavity device.
  • the gas orifice device should be preferably dimensioned in a way that pressure differences between the interior and the outside of the essentially closed cavity device can level out, but no "additional" exchange of air occurs.
  • a preferred embodiment of the dehumidifying device can be achieved at least one heat sink device is provided that is at least in part and/or at least at times emitting thermal energy.
  • Such a heat sink device can be used for (re-)heating the gas, flowing through the dehumidifying device.
  • heat sink device can be used for (re-)heating gas that has been cooled down by the previously described cold sink device.
  • the relative humidity of the gas can be decreased even further and/or independent of the working conditions of the components within the closed cavity device.
  • a heat sink device essentially all available and/or all possible devices can be used as well.
  • devices which were previously described as being suitable for cold sink devices can be used for heat sink devices as well.
  • said dehumidifying device with at least one heat transfer device that is at least in part and/or at least at times transferring thermal energy from at least one of said cold sink devices to at least one of the said heat sink devices.
  • at least one of said heat transfer devices comprises at least one Peltier element device.
  • the heat transfer device is used to transfer, at least in part and/or at least at times, thermal energy from the cold sink device to the heat sink device. Therefore, it is possible to cool down the cold sink device while at the same time the heat sink device is heated up. As already described, both effects are advantageous and can be realised easily with the proposed design.
  • the dehumidifying device can be operated essentially 24 hours/7 days a week without any regeneration phases and/or without any material that is used up during operation of the dehumidifying device (like liquid nitrogen). Furthermore, since the thermal energy is only moved from one point to the other, when using a thermal heat transfer device, the humidifying device can usually be operated with very low power consumption (for example less than 5 W, 4 W, 3.5 W, 3 W, 2.75 W, 2.5 W, 2.25 W, 2 W, 1.75 W, 1.5 W,
  • the heat transfer device can be of essentially any design, it is preferred if at least one of said heat transfer devices comprises at least one Peltier element device.
  • Peltier element devices are comparatively cheap, low in power consumption, effective in heat transfer and/or very reliable. In particular, they have no moving parts, reducing noise and vibrations, which could be harmful to the rest of the components (in particular over elongated operational times).
  • Peltier element devices can usually be operated essentially continuously. So usually no shut down intervals, maintenance intervals or the like have to be provided.
  • Another preferred embodiment can be achieved if at least one of said heat sink devices and at least one said cold sink devices are arranged close to each other, and are preferably connected by at least one heat transfer device, more preferably by at least one Peltier element device. Using such a design, a comparatively large temperature difference can be achieved over a
  • the heat differences between the respective heat sink device can usually be increased, which will normally result in a higher gas convection effect and/or higher decrease in relative humidity. Also, a particularly compact design of the humidifying device can be achieved. Furthermore, energy can be conserved, because the heat has to be transported only over a small distance.
  • the dehumidifying device in a way that at least one of said heat sink devices and/or at least one of said cold sink devices comprises at least one thermal energy transfer increasing means.
  • This can be done, for example, by providing a special coating on one or more surface(s) of the respective device, by providing a surface roughness, dimples, cavities or the like.
  • at least one thermal energy transfer increasing means as at least one surface enlarging means.
  • Such a surface enlarging means can be provided by increasing the overall dimension of the respective device (in particular by increasing the length and/or the width).
  • the dehumidifying device can also be achieved by providing webs, channels, bars, lands, pinlike structures or the like. Using such a design, the efficiency of the resulting dehumidifying device can be enhanced without unduly increasing the size of the device.
  • Another preferred embodiment of the dehumidifying device can be achieved if at least one liquid collecting means and/or at least one liquid discharging means is provided, wherein at least one of said liquid collecting means and/or at least one said liquid discharging means is designed as an essentially liquid- only passing means.
  • liquid collecting means or “liquid discharging means” is typically meant the storage and/or removal of the liquid that has been condensed at the cold sink device.
  • the drying effect within the closed cavity device, the dehumidifying device is used in can be provided, even for relatively extended periods of time. If the liquid is discharged to the outside, normally maintenance tasks can be minimised. However, it can also be advantageous if the liquid is collected inside the closed cavity, in particular, if a "dripping of water" out of the cabinet is undesired and/or openings between the inside and the outside of the closed cavity are disfavoured for whatever reason.
  • An "essentially liquid-only passing means” means that the respective means will essentially allow only liquid to pass through, while the passage of gas is hindered or even essentially inhibited. This can be done by providing some kind of a sponge or the like.
  • the advantage of such a design is that the influx and/or efflux of gas (“breathing") can be directed to advantageous parts of the dehumidifying device (in particular to the cold sink device) and/or of the closed cavity device. Both can prove to be advantageous.
  • dehumidifying device can be achieved if at least one de-icing means preferably at least one de-icing means for at least one of said cold sink devices and/or at least one de-icing means for at least one of said liquid discharging means, is provided.
  • the generation of ice cannot only occur when subfreezing ambient temperatures are present.
  • the respective cold sink device can reach subfreezing temperatures, even at relatively high ambient temperatures.
  • a de-icing means can be a usual heating device (for example a resistor wire or the like). Also, it is possible to reverse the functionality of said at least one thermal energy transfer device temporarily.
  • Such a functional reversal is particularly easy to achieve if Peltier elements are used.
  • de-icing means has to be operated only for a very limited time span per day (for example for 10 min every 6, 12, 18 or 24 hours) and only if certain ambient conditions exist.
  • Another preferred embodiment of said dehumidifying device can be achieved, if at least one passive gas convection generating device is provided.
  • passive gas convection generating device is usually meant that the gas convection will occur due to temperature differences, which will automatically occur if the at least one heat transfer device will transfer thermal energy from at least one cold sink device to at least one heat sink.
  • the passive gas convection effect can be achieved, for example, by gas temperature differences in different parts of the dehumidifying device. For example, the air is cooled down at the cold sink device, causing its density to increase.
  • the air is heated up, causing its density to decrease.
  • a passive convection can be generated based on density differences.
  • the big advantage of such a passive gas convection generating device is a usually lower generation of noise (or even essentially no generation of noise at all), a usually lower power consumption (in particular due to the absence of fans or the like), a usually lower manufacturing cost (usually due to the same reason) and a usually higher reliability (due to the typically occurring reduction or even complete avoidance of mechanically moving parts).
  • the gas convection effect will lead to a constant renewal of the air inside the dehumidifying device and/or the closed cavity device. Therefore, the air can be dehumidified continuously.
  • the dehumidifying device is placed inside a closed cavity, it is hence possible to dehumidify at least certain parts or even the whole closed cavity device (in particular if a sensible size ratio of the dehumidifying device and the volume of the closed cavity is observed).
  • the inventors have found to their own surprise that such a passive gas convection effect can be realised with even comparatively low temperature differences (and hence with a
  • a dehumidifying device when used within a closed cavity device, it is possible to remove moisture from the inside of the closed cavity by placing the condensed water in a "safe place" (for example in a container that is regularly emptied) or even to convey the water to the outside of the closed cavity.
  • a preferred embodiment of the dehumidifying device can be achieved if at least one of said passive gas convection generating devices is designed as a chimney device.
  • the length of the chimney can be essentially restricted to the length of the heat sink device.
  • the chimney shows some type of an extension in length, of about the same length or even of a larger length as compared to the length of the heat sink device and/or to the remainder of the chimney device.
  • the chimney device can be divided into separate, easily distinguishable parts.
  • the chimney device shows an essentially continuous design over its whole length.
  • the length of the chimney device of the dehumidifying device can be chosen according to the dimensions of the cavity device, the dehumidifying device will be used for.
  • the chimney device should have preferentially a length between 25% to 75%, preferably between 30% and 70%, more preferably between 35% and 65%, even more preferably between 40% and 60%, in particular between 45% and 55% or even essentially around 50% of the inner height of the closed cavity device, that the
  • the chimney device will usually result in increased temperature differences between the ends of the chimney and the ambient gas (usually the air inside the closed cavity device), resulting in increased gas convection (or even making a passive gas convection possible at all).
  • at least parts of the chimney and/or at least parts of the dehumidifying device, in particular at least parts of the casing of said dehumidifying device can be provided with some sort of a thermal insulation device.
  • the insulation device can be realised by using materials for the casing that are somewhat thermally insulating. However, it is also possible to provide special thermally insulating mats or the like.
  • At least one gas conducting device is provided, in particular between and/or around at least one of said heat sink devices and at least one of said cold sink devices.
  • the design and arrangement of said gas conducting device is done in a way that supports at least one of said passive gas convection generating devices.
  • a loss or intake of gas, not coming from the cold sink device and/or not going to the heat sink device can be avoided. This way, the passive gas convection effect can be enhanced and/or enabled.
  • the design, supporting said at least one gas convection generating device does not only relate to a mechanical stabilisation of the respective device.
  • dehumidifying device can be achieved if at least one of said heat sink devices is larger than at least one of said cold sink devices.
  • the size refers in particular to the length of the respective device, but possibly additionally and/or alternatively to the width and/or height and/or the surface area size of the respective device. Usually, by such a relative dimensioning of the respective devices, the passive gas convection effect can be enlarged and/or enabled.
  • the dehumidifying device with at least one active gas convection generating device, in particular by at least one fan.
  • an active gas convection generating device can be used as some kind of an "emergency" and/or “fallback” device. For example, if very adverse conditions and/or a very high intake of very humid air is present, the respective active gas convection generating device can be turned on for a certain time interval.
  • the usual operation of the dehumidifying device will be that the active gas convection generating device(s) will be switched off.
  • the active gas convection generating device is normally rarely used.
  • such a device might be advantageous shortly after the closed cavity device has been opened for maintenance or the like, and then only for the time span in the order of 10 minutes or so.
  • Yet another preferred embodiment can be achieved if at least one controller device, preferably at least one electronic controller device is provided. Using such a controller device, certain functionalities of the dehumidifying device can be achieved. It is also possible, that the functionality of the respective controller device is taken over by a controller device that is already present for other components within the essentially closed cavity device, for example.
  • the additional controlling functionality can be provided by an extended functionality of the program or the like.
  • Such an embodiment can be particularly useful.
  • dehumidifying device for example less than 3 W. This power consumption has to be compared with the power consumption of a controller device.
  • a cavity device preferably an essentially closed cavity device, more preferably a cabinet device, in particular a control cabinet device, comprising at least one dehumidifying device of the aforementioned design is suggested.
  • a cavity device can show the same features and advantages, as already described with respect to the dehumidifying device, at least in analogy. Furthermore, modifications in the sense of the previous description are possible as well.
  • a method for dehumidifying a cavity device preferably for dehumidifying an essentially closed cavity device, more preferably for dehumidifying a cabinet device, in particular for dehumidifying a control cabinet device is suggested, wherein at least one dehumidifying device according to the previous description is used at least in part and/or at least at times.
  • the same advantages and characteristics as already described can be achieved as well, at least in analogy.
  • the method for dehumidifying a cavity device in a way that at least one of said dehumidifying devices is used at essentially all times and/or is used essentially during a non-operating phase of said cavity device.
  • a particularly simple embodiment can be achieved.
  • the energy savings that are possible by switching off the dehumidifying device at certain times can be quite small. This is particularly true, since a controlling device will usually consume electric energy as well, typically in the 1 W range or the like. If the dehumidifying device is used essentially during a non-operating phase of said cavity device, energy can be saved very effectively.
  • the controller During an operating phase of the cavity device, usually the controller has to be switched on anyway. Then, the controller can switch off the dehumidifying device. Due to the fact that usually components are contained in the cavity device, which are typically generating waste heat, it is normally not necessary to operate the cavity device.
  • dehumidifying device if the cavity device is operating, because due to the elevated temperature, no "air shrinking" takes place, and hence no air is sucked into the closed cavity device.
  • Fig. 1 a schematic view of a part of a photovoltaic power plant
  • Fig. 2 a detail of an electric cabinet, comprising a dehumidifying device in a perspective view;
  • Fig. 3 a first possible embodiment of a heat sink device in a cross-sectional view
  • Fig. 4 a second possible embodiment of a dehumidifying device in a cross- sectional view
  • Fig. 5 a third possible embodiment of a heat sink device in a cross-sectional view
  • Fig. 6 three possible embodiments for a cold sink, each in a schematic perspective view.
  • a section of a photovoltaic power plant 5 is shown in a schematic, perspective drawing.
  • the photovoltaic power plant 5 comprises a plurality of solar panels 6.
  • a plurality of solar panels 6 are coupled together (for example: in parallel), to increase the overall electric current.
  • the solar panels 6 (more precise: the photovoltaic solar cells 8) produce a direct current with a comparatively low voltage (typically some 100 Volts for a solar panel 6). Due to the high electric currents and the low voltage involved, it is not feasible to transport the electricity over long distances, due to the high losses involved. Therefore, it is standard practice to convert the generated electricity into an alternating current and to transform the voltage to a higher level.
  • the inverters 9 needed for converting the direct current to alternating current are normally limited to a certain size for technical and economic reasons. Therefore, a plurality of inverters 9 would be necessary in any case. To reduce the electric losses, the inverters 9 are hence placed in proximity to the subset of solar panels 6 they are serving.
  • the electric cabinet 2 protects the components 3, 4 from exterior influences (for example rain, mechanical influences and so on). Furthermore, persons, animals and the like are protected from accidental electric shock by the electric cabinet 2.
  • a dehumidifier 1 (dehumidifying device) is suggested, which can be placed inside the electric cabinet 2. Due to the comparatively small dimensions of the dehumidifier 1 , it is possible to place the dehumidifier 1 into already existing layouts of electric cabinets 2 (including the layout of the electronic 3 and/or electric components 4 contained therein) without any modifications, or at least with only minor modifications. Therefore, the dehumidifier 1 can be used as an (almost) plug-in device, so that a fast and unproblematic commissioning of the dehumidifier 1 can be ensured.
  • the dehumidifier 1 comprises a generally J-shaped design. From the outside, an inlet section 10 and an outlet section 11 can be seen, showing an inlet opening 13 and an outlet opening 12, respectively. Both the inlet opening 13 and the outlet opening 12 of the dehumidifier 1 connect to the interior of the electric cabinet 2.
  • the outlet section 11 (forming a chimney) has a significantly larger length, as compared to the length of the inlet section 10.
  • the height of the dehumidifier 1 is approximately 50% of the height of the electric cabinet 2. This is because otherwise the temperature of the air inside the electric cabinet 2 near the output opening 12 of the outlet section 11 would be too high for a chimney effect to take place (i.e. for an air convection through the inlet opening 13, the inlet section 10, the outlet section 11 to the outlet opening 12), without the additional aid of an air fan or the like.
  • an airflow 15b, 15c is established through the dehumidifier 1 (if the dehumidifier 1 is switched on), and hence a corresponding airflow 15a is established within the interior of the electric cabinet 2 (see also Figs. 3, 4, 5).
  • this airflow 15 will lead to a dehumidifying effect within the interior of the electric cabinet 2.
  • condensation within the electric cabinet 2 will most likely be hindered.
  • such water will typically evaporate within a comparatively short time due to the operation of the dehumidifier 1.
  • a power supply 14 for the functionality of the dehumidifier 1 is drawn in Fig. 2.
  • a rechargeable battery is used as a power supply 14. The power supply 14 can then be used for powering the dehumidifier 1 while the
  • the components 3, 4 of the inverter 9 are switched off during the night.
  • the power supply 14 can be recharged. This way, any enhanced durability of the dehumidifier 1 can be achieved.
  • the specific arrangement of the dehumidifier 1 can be chosen differently.
  • the design and arrangement of the electric 4 and electronic components 3 and/or of the dehumidifier 1 itself can determine the exact design and location of the dehumidifier 1. This relates particularly to the left/right and/or the front/back-positioning of the dehumidifier 1 inside the electric cabinet 2.
  • "extreme" positions of the dehumidifier 1 in height might be problematic for the functionality of the dehumidifier 1.
  • Figs. 3 to 5 different (non-limiting) types of possible embodiments of a dehumidifier 1 (more precisely 1a, 1b, 1c) are shown.
  • Figs. 3 to 5 the respective dehumidifier 1 is shown in a cross-sectional view from the side. Additionally, it should be mentioned that it is possible to transfer certain aspects of one embodiment to another embodiment of the dehumidifier 1 (where this is not necessarily restricted to the embodiments shown). Furthermore, the movement of the air, entrapped in the electric cabinet 2 is shown by arrows 15.
  • Fig. 3 a first embodiment of a dehumidifier 1a is depicted. The dehumidifier 1a shows a heat sink 16 and a cold sink 17.
  • a stack of Peltier elements 18 (presently a stack of three Peltier elements, where the stack is presently shown as a single unit) is arranged between the cold sink 17 and the heat sink 6 and transferring thermal energy from the cold sink 17 to the heat sink 16.
  • the cold sink 17 is chilled, while the heat sink 16 is heated by the action of the Peltier elements 18.
  • the cold sink 17 and/or the heat sink 16 can be designed as a simple metallic plate, it is preferred that they show an enlarged surface area by providing a plurality of bars and webs. Such devices are commercially available as cooling elements for electronic components.
  • the air near the cold sink 17 will be cooled down and will thus increase in density (in particular relative to the surrounding air in the electric cabinet 2).
  • the air near the heat sink 16 will be heated up and its density will be reduced (in particular with respect to the surrounding air in the electric cabinet
  • the cold sink 17, the heat sink 16 and the Peltier elements 18 are encased in a housing 19, essentially showing only an inlet opening 13 and an outlet opening 12 for the air. Due to the temperature differences described, this will result in an air convection (as indicated by air movement arrows 15) without active components like air fans or the like.
  • the overall height of the dehumidifier 1a is about 30 cm.
  • the height of the heat sink element 16 is typically between 10 to 30 cm, preferably between 15 cm and 25 cm.
  • the stack of three Peltier elements 18 is powered with a voltage of 7.2 V. This voltage is considerably reduced as compared to the nominal voltage that is usually applied for an arrangement of three Peltier elements in series.
  • the power consumption of the dehumidifier 1a Since the power consumption of the dehumidifier 1a is very low, it can usually remain switched on (i.e. operated 24 hours/7 days a week). Therefore, humidity is constantly removed from the air so that condensation can normally be avoided.
  • First experiments indicate that even when very adverse conditions of the ambient air (outside the electric cabinet 2) are used (temperature spread of 50°C and relative humidity set at 98%), the relative humidity inside the electric cabinet 2 can usually be kept below 70%. This is very advantageous, because it is known in electronics that due to surface roughness of components 2, 3, 4, condensation can occur on surfaces even when the relative humidity is as low as 75%. Therefore, the presently shown dehumidifier 1a is highly suitable for avoiding corrosion and/or other adverse effects.
  • an air guide 24 is provided in the air channel of the inlet section 11 of the dehumidifier 1a.
  • Fig. 4 another possible embodiment of a dehumidifier 1b is shown.
  • the main functionality of the presently shown dehumidifier 1b is similar to the
  • dehumidifier 1a shown in Fig. 3.
  • the dehumidifier 1b of Fig. 4 shows a heat sink 16, a cold sink 17 and an "embedded" stack of Peltier elements 18.
  • the inlet section 10 of the dehumidifier 1b has a slightly different design.
  • no air guide 24 with a tunnel-like shape is present (compare to Fig. 3).
  • an air guiding plate 25 is provided for providing an optimised airflow 15d around the cold sink 17.
  • the dehumidifier 1b can be operated not only depending on time and/or depending on the condition of the electric 4 and electronic components 3 inside the electric cabinet 2, but also depending on the relative humidity of the air 15a, entering the dehumidifier 1b near the inlet opening 13 (of course, different positions of the relative humidity sensor 26 can be envisaged as well).
  • the electric power supply to the Peltier elements 18 not only can the electric power supply to the Peltier elements 18 be varied, but also an additional fan 28 can be powered on. It should be noted that for the presently shown
  • the fan 28 is usually switched off. Therefore, under normal operating conditions, the air convection 15 is solely caused by temperature differences, in particular between heat sink 16, cold sink 17 and/or
  • the fan 28 can be switched on by the electronic controller 27 to increase the dehumidifying power of the dehumidifier 1b.
  • a critical incident can occur, for example, if a service technician has opened the electric cabinet 2 for maintenance or the like and/or when extremely adverse weather conditions are present.
  • a preferred embodiment of the dehumidifier 1c is shown in Fig. 5.
  • the main functionality of the present dehumidifier 1 c is similar to that of the embodiments 1a, 1b shown in Figs. 3 and 4, respectively.
  • a first advantage of the present dehumidifier 1c is the design of the cold sink 17, in particular at its lower part. As can be seen from Fig. 5, the cold sink 17 forms a blade 29 for collecting water and creating water drops 20.
  • Another interesting feature of the presently shown dehumidifier 1c is the water outlet section 30.
  • the water outlet section 30 not only comprises a tube 22, routed through an orifice 23 of the electric cabinet 2, but also a little sponge 31.
  • an inlet channel 32 is provided.
  • the inlet channel 32 forms passage for incoming 15e, 15f air (and likewise for outgoing air). Due to the effect of the sponge 31 , the airflow 15e, 15f is limited to the inlet channel 32.
  • the inlet channel 32 is formed in a way (in particular in its upper region), so that incoming air (which can be comparatively humid) is first guided to the cold sink 17. This has the
  • a possible problem with all of the embodiments of dehumidifiers 1a, 1b, 1c shown is that particularly at lower ambient temperatures, the cold sink 17 can reach a temperature near or below the freezing temperature. Therefore, it is possible that frost is generated on the surfaces of the cold sink 17. If such a condition (subfreezing temperatures at the cold sink 17) occurs for extended periods of times, not only can the efficiency of the dehumidifier 1a, 1b, 1c be reduced but it is also possible that the air passages can be completely blocked, so that no dehumidifying action at all is possible anymore. Of course, a reduction or even a loss of dehumidifying action is highly undesirable.
  • the dehumidifier 1A, 1 B, 1C with a defrosting means.
  • a defrosting means This is easily done by reversing the voltage, applied to the Peltier elements 18. If the voltage is reversed, the thermal transport direction of the Peltier elements 18 is reversed, thus cooling down the heat sink 16 and heating up the cold sink 17. By this, frost that has been formed on the surfaces of the cold sink 17 will melt and leave the electric cabinet 2 through the tube 22 in liquid form.
  • Such a defrosting action can be performed for a time interval of approximately 5 to 15 min, typically of 10 min, once in a while. In particular, it can be performed every 6, 12 or 24 hours.
  • a heating coil 33 is provided. This heating coil 33 will keep the water in the sponge 32 in its liquid state, so that water can pass through. Although it is possible to power up the heating coil 33 essentially all the time, it is preferred that the heating coil 33 is only switched on temporarily. This can be done, as an example, at least partially according to the
  • the heating coil 33 does not need to be powered on. Furthermore, it is possible (or even preferred) to switch on the heating coil 33 (only) when a defrosting action by the Peltier elements 18 is performed.
  • a cold sink 17a, 17b, 17c are all showing a wedge shaped part 34 at the lower end. This wedge will help in collecting and dropping off the water, condensing at the surfaces of the cold sink 17.
  • a cold sink 17a does not show any surface enhancing means (webs, rims or the like)
  • the other two embodiments of a cold sink 17b, 17c show differently sized surface enhancing means 35b, 35c.
  • the exact preferred dimension of the cold sink 17 can depend on a plethora of different conditions, in particular on the size of the heat sink and/or the type, the driving and the number of Peltier elements 18.
  • cold sinks 17a, 17b, 17c shown in Fig. 6 are commercially available or can at least be manufactured easily from commercially available parts.
  • the embodiments of cold sink devices 17b, 17c can be derived from commercially available cooling elements for electronic

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Drying Of Gases (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de déshumidification (1) pour un dispositif à cavité sensiblement fermée (2), comprenant un dispositif dissipateur de froid (17) qui est au moins en partie et/ou au moins à certains moments absorbant une énergie thermique. Un dispositif d'orifice de gaz (22, 32) est prévu, ledit dispositif d'orifice de gaz (22, 32) étant conçu et placé d'une manière telle que le gaz entrant (15e) est dirigé au moins en partie et/ou au moins à certains moments vers ledit dispositif dissipateur de froid (17).
PCT/DK2011/000144 2010-12-01 2011-12-01 Dispositif de déshumidification WO2012072077A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DKPA201001091 2010-12-01
DKPA201001091 2010-12-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012072077A1 true WO2012072077A1 (fr) 2012-06-07

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2016112500A (ja) * 2014-12-15 2016-06-23 日東工業株式会社 盤用電子除湿器
EP3059716A4 (fr) * 2013-10-16 2017-05-17 Proytecsa Security. S.L. Dispositif de détection d'intrusion dans des clôtures de sécurité
CN107065958A (zh) * 2017-05-27 2017-08-18 深圳市禾望电气股份有限公司 一种变流器及其除湿方法
CN116526318A (zh) * 2023-04-24 2023-08-01 湖北楚云机电工程有限公司 一种基于环网柜的湿度控制系统及控制方法

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3126710A (en) * 1964-03-31 Thermoelectric dehumidifier and reheater
US4499736A (en) * 1983-12-08 1985-02-19 Sperry Corporation Dehumidifier apparatus for disk drives
DE4227148A1 (de) * 1992-08-17 1992-12-17 Stefan Dipl Phys Bornholdt Raumluftentfeuchter fuer unbeheizte innenraeume
US5884486A (en) * 1997-06-19 1999-03-23 Northern Telecom Limited Thermoelectric humidity pump and method for dehumidfying of an electronic apparatus
US6101815A (en) * 1998-11-09 2000-08-15 General Electric Company Thermo-electrical dehumidifier
WO2004018949A1 (fr) * 2002-08-22 2004-03-04 Ec Tech Co., Ltd. Unite d'echange thermique a dispositif d'elimination d'eau condensee

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3126710A (en) * 1964-03-31 Thermoelectric dehumidifier and reheater
US4499736A (en) * 1983-12-08 1985-02-19 Sperry Corporation Dehumidifier apparatus for disk drives
DE4227148A1 (de) * 1992-08-17 1992-12-17 Stefan Dipl Phys Bornholdt Raumluftentfeuchter fuer unbeheizte innenraeume
US5884486A (en) * 1997-06-19 1999-03-23 Northern Telecom Limited Thermoelectric humidity pump and method for dehumidfying of an electronic apparatus
US6101815A (en) * 1998-11-09 2000-08-15 General Electric Company Thermo-electrical dehumidifier
WO2004018949A1 (fr) * 2002-08-22 2004-03-04 Ec Tech Co., Ltd. Unite d'echange thermique a dispositif d'elimination d'eau condensee

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3059716A4 (fr) * 2013-10-16 2017-05-17 Proytecsa Security. S.L. Dispositif de détection d'intrusion dans des clôtures de sécurité
JP2016112500A (ja) * 2014-12-15 2016-06-23 日東工業株式会社 盤用電子除湿器
CN107065958A (zh) * 2017-05-27 2017-08-18 深圳市禾望电气股份有限公司 一种变流器及其除湿方法
CN116526318A (zh) * 2023-04-24 2023-08-01 湖北楚云机电工程有限公司 一种基于环网柜的湿度控制系统及控制方法
CN116526318B (zh) * 2023-04-24 2023-10-24 湖北楚云机电工程有限公司 一种基于环网柜的湿度控制系统及控制方法

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