WO2019216821A1

WO2019216821A1 - Portable modular heat pump system

Info

Publication number: WO2019216821A1
Application number: PCT/SG2018/050227
Authority: WO
Inventors: Keng Liang CHENG; Hock Keng CHUA
Original assignee: Global Healthcare SG Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2018-05-09
Filing date: 2018-05-09
Publication date: 2019-11-14

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable modular heat pump system. More particularly, the invention relates to a storage module with an air passage that terminates in connectors that seal when unengaged. The storage module includes an external housing including at least one external surface defining least two openings, namely an inlet and an outlet that define a first air passage for movement of a gaseous substance therethough, each opening terminating in a connector. The first air passage facilitates the movement of refrigerated air to and from a storage compartment. When the connectors are not attached to opposing connectors, the openings are physically occluded by the connectors, thus isolating the cold/hot air within the air passage from atmospheric air.

Description

PORTAB L E MODULAR HEAT P UMP SYSTE M

FIE L D OF THE INVE NTION

The present invention relates to a portable modular heat pump system. More particularly, the invention relates to a storage module with an air passage that terminates in connectors that seal when disengaged.

BAC K G R OUND

Transporting refrigerated articles such as food stuffs or equipment to remote locations that are accessible primarily by foot is challenging due not only to the size and weight of the articles in question, but also that of the refrigeration unit which when combined can make transportation by foot impractical. Although vehicle mounted refrigeration units do exist the transfer of articles from a refrigeration unit to an insulated cooler box can be time consuming which may not be viable in time-critical situations.

One example of refrigerated articles that need to be transported to remote locations is hazmat suits, specifically, whole body garments worn as part of piece of personal protection equipment (P P E). When worn in a tropical climate, hazmat suits themselves can be hazardous in that they impose significant heat stress on responders by significantly lowering the effectiveness of the body^'s natural heat loss mechanisms, and is exacerbated by strenuous activity such as firefighting performed by a responder while wearing the hazmat suit. Heat-related fatigue incurred while wearing a hazmat suit thus limits the time a responder can spend at an incident site. One way of reducing the heat stress incurred is to provide a responder with a chilled hazmat suit, which is a hazmat suit that has been cooled in a refrigeration unit prior to use.

In emergency situations involving the potential release of harmful chemicals at an incident site, first responders may be required to don such suits upon arrival but prior to entry into the incident site. S ince the chilled hazmat suits are typically donned near the incident site, the suits need to be quickly transported from an emergency vehicle to a location closer to the incident site while maintaining their chilled temperature.

Refrigeration systems having a modular refrigeration unit that is removably attachable to a product container are exemplified in US Patent Nos. 4,907,419 and 8,468,836. In the aforementioned prior art, the modular refrigeration units form one entire side wall of the system and, accordingly, removal of the modular refrigeration unit will expose the refrigerated articles within to the outside air.

A need therefore exists for an improved heat pump system which allows the storage component to be easily separated from the heat transfer component to facilitate quick movement of refrigerated articles housed within to remote locations.

S UMMARY OF TH E INVE NTION

A primary embodiment of the invention is a modula r heat pump system comprising a storage module defining a first air passage for movement of a gaseous substance therethrough, the first air passage comprising two openings, each opening terminating in a connector, wherein the connector seals the opening when disengaged.

In an optional design of the prima ry embodiment, the modular refrigeration system further comprises a heat tra nsfer module, the heat transfer module defining a second air passage for movement of a gaseous substance therethrough, the second air passage comprising two openings, each opening terminating in a connector.

Optionally, the connectors of the heat transfer module seal the openings when disengaged. Optionally, the connectors while engaged unseal the openings. Optionally, the first air passage is placed in gaseous communication with the second air passage when corresponding connectors on the storage module engage connectors on the heat transfer module, each pair of engaged connectors forming a connector assembly. Optionally, the connector assembly involves a male-female connection. Optiona lly, the heat pump module further comprises an evaporator fan, such that the fan is activated when the connector assembly is formed.

Optionally, each connector comprises a housing defining a long axis a connecting passage, the connecting passage having a distal opening and a proximal opening for movement of a gaseous substa nce between the first air passage and second air passage, a n actuator defining a long axis and resiliently disposed within the housing such that the long axis of the actuator is substantially pa rallel to the long axis of the housing. Optiona lly, each connector further comprises a disc attached to the actuator such that when the connector is disengaged, the disc occludes the connecting passage. Optiona lly, each connector further comprises a guide that is attached to the actuator. Optionally upon formation of the connector assembly, the actuator of each connector forming the connector assembly is displaced upon formation of the connector assembly such that the disc no longer occludes their corresponding connecting passage. The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

B RIE F DES C RIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 depicts a frontal perspective view of the storage module.

Fig. 2 depicts a bottom perspective view of the storage module showing three inlet and outlet openings each terminating in a self-sealing connector.

Fig. 3 depicts a sectional view of the storage module cut along A-A.

Fig. 4 depicts a frontal perspective view of the heat transfer module.

Fig. 5 depicts a sectional view of the heat transfer module cut along B-B.

Fig. 6 depicts a sectional view of the storage module as connected to the heat transfer module cut along C-C .

Fig. 7 depicts a sectional view of a pair of opposing connectors cut along D-D and E -E respectively.

Fig. 8 depicts a sectional view of a connector assembly.

DETAILE D DES C RIPTION OF TH E INVE NTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments can be utilized, and other changes can be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein.

Referring to Fig. 1-3, an embodiment of the invention is a modular refrigeration system comprising a storage module 101. The storage module includes an external housing 102 with insulated panels including a base panel 104 and a lid 103 with a handle 104, and side panels 106a and b, having handles 107a and b. The external housing has at least one external surface that define a first air passage for movement of a gaseous substance therethrough, the first air passage defining at least two openings, namely an inlet and an outlet, each opening terminating in a connector. The first air passage facilitates the movement of refrigerated air to and from a storage compartment 305 that is defined by panels of an inner housing 303. The inner housing is attached to the exterior housing by way of support brackets 309a and b. The panels of the inner housing 303 may be insulated to further to reduce the transfer of heat to or from the storage compartment 305 to atmospheric air.

As depicted in Fig 2, the storage module 101 has three inlet and outlet openings located on the base panel 104 of the external housing 102. It will be readily understood by a skilled addressee that the inlet and outlet may each have more than one opening so as to improve air throughput. The openings themselves may be located on other insulated exterior panels such as side panels 106a and b.

The inlet connectors 201 a, b and c lead to a common inlet vent 302 that is continuous with an opening 307a in the inner housing 303 that terminates in an inlet grill 304 thus forming a continuous air passage that permits the movement of gaseous substances such as cold/hot air arriving up inlet connectors 201 a, b and c into the storage compartment 305. An outlet grill 306 is fixed over a separate opening 307b in the inner housing 303, the opening being continuous with an outlet vent 308 which leads to outlet connectors 202a, b and c. Air passages that facilitate the flow of refrigerated air to and from a storage compartment are well-known in the art and will not be described further.

When the storage module connectors are disengaged, that is when the connectors are not attached to opposing connectors on the heat transfer module 401 , the openings are physically occluded by the connectors, thus isolating the cold/hot air within the first air channel from atmospheric air. This self-sealing capability allows the storage module 101 to independently function as portable insulated storage that can be easily disconnected from a heat transfer module 401 for use in the field without the use of tools.

Referring to Fig. 4, in an optional design of the primary embodiment, the modular refrigeration system further comprises a heat transfer module 401 that includes an external housing 402 with insulated panels including a top panel 403. The external housing 402 has at least one external surface defining at least two openings, namely an inlet and an outlet that define a second air passage for movement of a gaseous substance therethrough, each opening terminating in a connector to facilitate the movement of air to and from an air circulation chamber 501 that is defined by panels of an inner housing 502. The panels of the inner housing 502 may be insulated. When the heat transfer module connectors are disengaged, that is when the connectors are not attached to opposing connectors, the openings may optionally be physically occluded by the connectors. This self-sealing capability prevents foreign objects such as debris and rain from entering the air circulation chamber 501. The heat transfer module also includes all elements of a typical vapour-compression system including a compressor, a condenser, a thermal expansion valve and an evaporator 504. When configured as refrigeration system as depicted in Figs 4-6, refrigerant in vapour form enters the compressor where it is subjected to increased pressure and results in an increase in temperature of the refrigerant. The refrigerant in the form of super-heated vapour then enters a condenser where it is cooled by the removal of heat at a constant temperature and pressure leading to a change of state to liquid form. The liquid refrigerant then enters an expansion valve where it experiences a sudden drop in temperature leading to flash evaporation of a significant portion of the liquid refrigeration and subsequent auto refrigeration of the remaining liquid. The liquid/gas refrige rant then enters the evaporator 504 where the remaining liquid is evaporated in the process of cooling warm air in the air circulation chamber 501. The vapour-compression system may be configured as a heater where the cycle is reversed. Vapour-compression systems are well-known in the art and will not be described further.

Referring to Fig. 4, the heat transfer module 401 has three inlet openings and three outlet openings located in a recess 404 in the top panel 403 of external housing 402. It will be readily understood by a skilled addressee that each inlet and outlet may have more than one opening so as to improve air throughput.

The first air passage of the storage module 101 can be connected to the second air passage of the heat transfer module 401 via their respective connectors thus placing the first air passage in gaseous communication with the second air passage. Inlet connectors 201 a, b and c on storage module 101 engage outlet connectors 406a, b and c on heat transfer module 401 respectively, thus forming connector assemblies 603a, b and c respectively while outlets connectors 202a, b and c on the storage module 101 engage inlet connectors 405a, b and c thus forming connector assemblies 602a, b and c respectively. When engaged, self-sealing connectors will unseal their respective openings thus resulting in a closed, continuous air passage between the storage module 101 and the heat transfer module 401. Warm air from the storage compartment 305 is drawn into the air circulation chamber 501 via connector assemblies 602a, b and c by an evaporator fan 503 and blown across the cold surface of the evaporator 504 where the warm air is chilled. The chilled air is channelled up connector assemblies 603a, b and c by way of a guide plate 505 where it is circulated into the storage compartment 305. Optionally, the evaporator fan 503 can be configured to automatically activate when the connector assemblies are formed. Optionally, the connector assemblies involve a male-female connection. In other words, one connector serves as a receptacle for the other connector. While Fig. 2 depicts the connectors on the storage module 101 as being male, they may be instead female. In a non-limiting example, each connector comprises a housing 701 a and b defining a long axis and a connecting passage, the connecting passage having a distal opening 703a and b, and a proximal opening 702a and b for movement of a gaseous substance between the first air passage and second air passage, an actuator 704a and b defining a long axis and resiliently disposed within the housing 701 a and b such that the long axis of the coupling member is substantially parallel to the long axis of the housing 701 a and b. The actuator 704a and b may be a bolt or any sufficiently durable elongated member. The housing 701 a and b may include a neck 706a and b near the proximal opening 702a and b formed by a partial overlap of the housing wall and an elastic means 707a and b such as a spring that is disposed between the overlapping portion of the housing wall and a guide 708. The elastic means 707a and b may be a spring or any solid capable of recovering its original shape after deformation. The guide 708a and b is an extension which is attached to the actuator 704a and is substantially perpendicular to its long axis such that it interacts with the inner surface of the housing and may be positioned anywhere between the overlap of the housing wall and the distal opening 703a and b. The guide 708a and b does not occlude their respective connecting passage and may be perforated and serves to keep the actuator 704a and b substantially parallel to the long axis of the housing.

E ach connector may further comprises a disc 705a and b attached to actuator 704a and b such that when the connector is disengaged, the disc 705a and b occludes the connecting passage thus preventing air from circulating between the first and second air passages. Referring to Fig. 7, the disc 705a and b may have tapered edges that come into physical contact with the neck when the connector is disengaged and is held in this position by the elastic means 707a and b. While it is preferable for connectors located in the heat transfer module 401 to include discs, it is not mandatory.

Referring to Fig. 8, upon formation of the connector assembly, the actuators 704a and b are brought together, resulting in the elastic means 707a and b being compressed thus leading to the displacement of the actuators 704a and b towards proximal openings 702a and b such that each disc 705a and b no longer occludes their respective connecting passages thus allowing air to move freely throughout the connecting passage as indicated by the arrows.

Claims

C LAIMS

1. A modular heat pump system comprising a storage module defining a first air passage, the first air passage comprising two openings, each opening terminating in a connector, wherein the connector seals the opening when disengaged.

2. The modular heat pump system according to claim 1 , further comprising a heat transfer module, the heat transfer module defining a second air, the second air passage comprising two openings, each opening terminating in a connector.

3. The modular heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein the connectors of the heat transfer module seal the openings when disengaged.

4. The modular heat pump system according to any of claims 1 -3, wherein connectors unseal the openings while engaged.

5. The modular heat pump system according to any of claims 2-4, wherein the first air passage is placed in gaseous communication with the second air passage when each connector on the storage module engages the corresponding connector on the heat transfer module, each pair of engaged connectors forming a connector assembly.

6. The modular heat pump system according to claim 5, wherein the connector assembly involves a male-female connection.

7. The modular heat pump system according to any of claims 2-6, wherein the heat transfer module further comprises an evaporator fan, such that the fan is activated when the connector assembly is formed.

8. The modular heat pump system according to any of claims 5-7, wherein each connector comprises: a housing defining a long axis and a connecting passage, the connecting passage having a distal opening and a proximal opening; an actuator defining a long axis and resiliency disposed within the housing such that the long axis of the actuator is substantially parallel to the long axis of the housing.

9. The modular heat pump system according to claim 8, wherein each connector further comprises a disc attached to the actuator such that when the connector is disengaged the disc occludes the corresponding connecting passage.

10. The modular heat pump system according to claims 8 or 9, wherein each connector further comprises a guide that is attached to the actuator.

1 1. The modular heat pump system according to claims 9 or 10, wherein upon formation of the connector assembly, the actuator of each connector forming the connector assembly is displaced such that the disc no longer occludes their corresponding connecting passage.