Patent Description:
Cooling apparatuses used for cooling industrial processes are known, comprising a housing on opposite sides of which respective heat exchangers are positioned, in particular tube bundle coils, comprising a plurality of pipes in which a heat transfer fluid transits and a ventilation device positioned above the housing.

Externally to the heat exchangers, humidification means can also be disposed, for example comprising humidification panels or nozzles for spraying water which have the function of cooling the air before it comes into contact with the pipes of the heat exchangers so as to increase the cooling efficiency of the fluid transiting through them.

<CIT> describes a known cooling apparatus having a monolithic structure and comprising a pair of heat exchangers and humidification means each defined by two panels disposed one on top of the other, respectively fed by means of distributor devices connected to a common supply line. <CIT> discloses an apparatus having the features of the preamble of claim <NUM>.

The need to improve the performance of cooling apparatuses is increasingly felt and since the amount of heat exchange that they can implement depends on the extension of the heat exchange surfaces, in order to increase the overall efficiency it is necessary to increase their dimensions and therefore their footprints.

In addition, as the need to reduce occupancy on the ground is increasingly felt, it is necessary to significantly increase its height.

However, the increase in the volumes and footprints makes it difficult and expensive to transport the cooling apparatuses from the production plant to the installation site, as it is necessary to use exceptional transport with the limits and costs that they entail.

For this purpose, cooling apparatuses have been proposed in which the heat exchangers are positioned according to a "V" arrangement, which are made in modular form. This solution, however, even if it partially reduces transport costs, requires a lot of work at the place of installation both in terms of mechanical connections and in terms of hydraulic and electrical connections.

Solutions are also known that provide for separately transporting the components of the cooling apparatus, and in particular to separately transport the heat exchangers and any humidification means and assemble them together at the installation site.

These solutions, however, are impractical, since in order to proceed with the assembly of different components, long installation times are necessary and specialized and therefore expensive labour is required and, in addition, they still require various trips for the overall transport of the components of the cooling apparatus.

There is therefore the need to perfect a cooling apparatus that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

To do this, it is necessary to solve the technical problem of realizing a cooling apparatus whose parts can be pre-assembled and completed at the production site and then coupled and attached to each other at the installation site easily and quickly.

One purpose of the present invention is to realize a cooling apparatus that can be easily transported by road without requiring exceptional transports.

Another purpose of the present invention is to realize a cooling apparatus that has a footprint on the ground comparable to that of the cooling apparatuses of the prior art but has greater operational efficiency.

Another purpose of the present invention is to develop a method for installing a cooling apparatus that is fast and efficient.

Another purpose of the present invention is to develop a method for installing a cooling apparatus that does not require specialized labour for its installation.

In accordance with the aforementioned purposes and to resolve the technical problem disclosed above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a cooling apparatus according to the present invention comprises a lower module and an upper module, wherein each of the modules comprises a pair of heat exchangers disposed parallel in a vertical direction, on opposite sides of a housing and a pair of adiabatic humidification panels, each disposed on an external side of a heat exchanger and a ventilation device associated with the upper module.

The two modules comprise reciprocal guide and coupling means disposed in correspondence with respective connection faces and have a first non-operating configuration in which they are separated from each other and a second operating configuration in which they are disposed stacked one on top of the other, wherein said upper module is located resting on said lower module in correspondence with respective rest portions and said guide and coupling means are reciprocally engaged.

By doing so, at least the advantage of minimizing the costs necessary for transporting the cooling apparatus to the installation site, and at the same time of providing a cooling apparatus having overall footprints substantially double those of traditional cooling apparatuses without however increasing the occupancy on the ground is obtained.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the lower and upper modules comprise respective frame support structures which, in said operating configuration, are disposed in alignment one on top of another and the lower and upper surfaces of which define the rest portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, said support structures are disposed internally with respect to the respective heat exchangers and comprise horizontal support elements and vertical support elements connected to said horizontal support elements by means of connection brackets, wherein the facing surfaces of the horizontal support elements of the two modules constitute said rest portions.

In accordance with embodiments, the coupling means comprise one or more locking brackets configured to cooperate with respective horizontal support elements to define a stable reciprocal connection therebetween.

According to embodiments, each heat exchanger of the upper module is associated with a respective lower shoulder element, configured to delimit the heat exchanger at the bottom and each heat exchanger of the lower module is associated with a respective upper shoulder element, configured to delimit the heat exchanger at the top.

Preferably, the lower shoulder element of the upper module and the upper shoulder element of the lower module are conformed in such a way as to be inserted one inside the other, thus defining the guide means.

According to one aspect of the invention, the pre-assembled upper module integrates the ventilation device therein. This solution is very advantageous as it reduces the number of transport trips and installation times.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the two upper and lower modules already comprise pre-installed respective electrical wiring suitable to be connected, in said operating configuration, by means of respective quick-connectors to provide the electrical power at least to the ventilation device.

According to embodiments, above each upper humidification panel there is disposed an upper distributor device, connectable to a water source by means of a hydraulic circuit, which is configured to receive water from a source and distribute it evenly along the underlying upper panel.

Advantageously, each of the two modules already comprises pre-installed respective upper and lower pipes suitable to define part of the hydraulic circuit. In the configuration of use, the two pipes are connected by means of a hydraulic connection joint, preferably of a flexible type.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the upper humidification panel and the lower humidification panel are placed substantially in continuity with each other, although preferably not resting. In this way, the water leaked through the upper panel reaches the lower panel directly, also wetting the latter.

In accordance with a first variant of the present invention, a distribution panel, i.e. a panel made of absorbent and permeable material, is positioned between the upper panel and the lower panel and which is configured to receive the leaked water through the upper panel and distribute it in the longitudinal direction so as to uniform the humidification of the lower panel.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there are provided both an upper distributor device and a lower distributor device, positioned respectively above each of the upper and lower panels.

According to embodiments, a water recovery tank can be provided below the upper panel and the lower distributor can be directly connected to this recovery tank.

According to embodiments, the upper and lower distributor devices can be connected to a common supply line, for example connectable to a water mains or to a collection tank of the leaked water through one or both of the upper and lower panel.

Embodiments described herein also refer to a method for installing a cooling apparatus, which provides to:.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following disclosure of some embodiments, provided merely by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

With reference to <FIG>, a cooling apparatus <NUM> for process fluids or data processing centres has a modular structure comprising at least a lower module <NUM> and an upper module <NUM>, which have at least a first non-operating configuration in which they are separated from each other (<FIG>) and a second operating configuration in which they are stacked one on top of the other (<FIG>).

The lower module <NUM> comprises two heat exchangers <NUM> and <NUM>, disposed parallel in a vertical direction, on opposite lower sides of a housing <NUM> and a pair of humidification panels <NUM>, <NUM>, each disposed on an external side of one of the lower heat exchangers <NUM>, <NUM>.

The lower module <NUM> is provided at the bottom with a rest base <NUM> that closes the housing <NUM> at the bottom.

Such components are advantageously pre-assembled in a manufacturing plant, so that the lower module <NUM> can be transported in assembled form to the place where it is to be used.

The upper module <NUM> comprises two upper heat exchangers <NUM>, <NUM>, disposed parallel in a vertical direction on opposite sides of a housing <NUM> and a pair of humidification panels <NUM>, <NUM>, each disposed on an external side of one of the upper heat exchangers <NUM>, <NUM>.

Each heat exchanger <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is associated at one end with respective manifolds <NUM> of the fluid to be cooled and at the opposite end with respective earhooks completing the fluid path.

The humidification panels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are made of absorbent and permeable material, for example cellulose-based.

According to preferred embodiments, the upper module <NUM> comprises a ventilation device <NUM>, which is disposed on the top of the housing <NUM> in an intermediate position between the two heat exchangers <NUM>, <NUM>.

The pre-assembled upper module <NUM> preferably integrates the ventilation device <NUM> therein.

In particular, the ventilation device <NUM> can be integrated into an upper cover <NUM> of the upper module <NUM> and be pre-assembled together with the other components in the production plant.

Preferably, the two modules <NUM>, <NUM> have respective dimensions of height H, width W and length L such that they can be transported on a truck without requiring exceptional transport. By way of example, the height H may be comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, the width L between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> and the length L between <NUM> and <NUM>.

According to embodiments, the lower module <NUM> and the upper module <NUM> comprise respective guide means <NUM> and reciprocal coupling means <NUM> disposed in correspondence with respective connection faces <NUM>, <NUM>.

In the second operating configuration the upper module <NUM> is located resting on the lower module <NUM> in correspondence with respective rest portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the coupling means <NUM> and the guide means <NUM> are reciprocally engaged with each other.

In accordance with embodiments, the lower <NUM> and upper <NUM> modules comprise respective frame support structures <NUM>, <NUM> which, in the operating device configuration, are disposed in alignment one on top of another and the lower and upper surfaces of which define the rest portions <NUM>, <NUM>.

Preferably the support structures <NUM>, <NUM> having bearing function are disposed internally with respect to the respective heat exchangers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The support structure <NUM> of the lower module <NUM> comprises respective horizontal support elements <NUM>, also called crosspieces, and vertical support elements <NUM>, also called struts, which connect the horizontal support elements <NUM> to the rest base <NUM> or to any lower crosspieces (not illustrated) by means of respective brackets <NUM>.

The horizontal support elements <NUM> may be connected so as to form an upper frame <NUM> that delimits the edge of the open end of the housing <NUM>.

These vertical connection elements <NUM> cooperate with the internal sides <NUM> of the lower heat exchangers <NUM>, <NUM>.

In the lower module <NUM>, the heat exchangers <NUM>, <NUM> and the panels <NUM>, <NUM> are supported on the rest base <NUM> by means of ground brackets, not illustrated.

The support structure <NUM> of the upper module <NUM> comprises respective horizontal support elements <NUM>, or crosspieces, and vertical support elements <NUM>, or struts, connected to the horizontal support elements <NUM> by means of respective brackets <NUM>.

The horizontal support elements <NUM> can be connected to form a lower frame <NUM> that delimits the edge of the lower open end of the housing <NUM>, and respectively a top frame <NUM> disposed in correspondence with the opposite end.

These vertical connection elements <NUM> cooperate with the internal lateral sides <NUM> of the upper heat exchangers <NUM>, <NUM>.

The top frame <NUM> may be connected to the upper cover <NUM>.

In the upper module <NUM>, the heat exchangers <NUM>, <NUM> are attached to the horizontal support members <NUM>, while the panels <NUM>, <NUM> are attached to the sides <NUM> of the heat exchangers <NUM>, <NUM> and to reinforcement brackets <NUM>.

The surfaces respectively facing the horizontal support elements <NUM>, <NUM> on the respective connection faces <NUM>, <NUM> of the two modules <NUM>, <NUM> define the rest portions <NUM>, <NUM>.

In accordance with embodiments, the coupling means <NUM> comprise one or more locking brackets <NUM> (<FIG>) configured to cooperate at least with the horizontal support elements <NUM>, <NUM> which are respectively facing to define a stable reciprocally connection between them.

The brackets <NUM> can have a "U" shape in such a way as to be positioned astride the horizontal support elements <NUM>, <NUM> superimposed and attached to each of them by means of attachment means <NUM>, preferably of a removable type such as screws, bolts, pins or the like.

According to embodiments, in the operating configuration the upper module <NUM> and the lower module <NUM> rest substantially only in correspondence with the rest portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the frames <NUM>, <NUM>, while between the respective heat exchangers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the panels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> there is a gap.

According to embodiments, each upper heat exchanger <NUM>, <NUM> is associated with a respective lower shoulder element <NUM>, configured to delimit the heat exchanger at the bottom, and each lower heat exchanger <NUM>, <NUM> is associated with a respective upper shoulder element <NUM>, configured to delimit the heat exchanger at the top.

Preferably, the lower shoulder element <NUM> and the upper shoulder element <NUM> are conformed in such a way as to be inserted one inside the other, thus defining the guide means <NUM>.

According to embodiments, at the support structures <NUM>, <NUM>, preferably on the horizontal connection elements <NUM>, <NUM> disposed in correspondence with the respective upper faces of the two modules <NUM>, <NUM>, respective hooking and lifting elements, for example eyebolts, or the like, not illustrated, can be connected, by means of which the two modules <NUM>, <NUM> can be lifted by means of a crane to be positioned respectively on a means of transport or on the installation site.

The two upper <NUM> and lower <NUM> modules comprise respective electrical wiring <NUM>, <NUM> suitable to be connected, in use, by means of respective quick-connectors <NUM> to provide the electrical power to at least one motor of the ventilation device <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> further comprises a hydraulic circuit <NUM> connectable, in use, by means of a connection line, to a water source <NUM>, for example a water mains or a collection tank, and configured to supply water to the panels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to embodiments, the hydraulic circuit <NUM> comprises at least one upper distributor device <NUM> disposed above each upper panel <NUM>, <NUM>.

The upper distributor device <NUM> can comprise a plurality of nozzles, or a pipe provided with a plurality of holes distributed in the longitudinal direction, or possibly a distributor panel, not illustrated, through which the water coming from the water source <NUM> can be uniformly distributed on the panel <NUM>, <NUM> in the longitudinal direction.

Advantageously, each of the two modules <NUM>, <NUM> already comprises pre-installed respective lower <NUM> and upper <NUM> pipes suitable to define at least part of the hydraulic circuit <NUM>.

The upper pipe <NUM> is connected by means of respective conduits <NUM> to each upper distributor device <NUM>.

In the operating configuration the two pipes <NUM>, <NUM> are connected by means of a hydraulic connection joint <NUM>, preferably of a flexible type. The lower pipe <NUM>, in use, is connected to the water source <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate some embodiment variants of the hydraulic circuit <NUM>.

According to a first embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, for each pair of superimposed panels <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> there is provided only one distributor device <NUM> disposed above each upper panel <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to this embodiment, the upper panel <NUM>, <NUM> and the lower panel <NUM>, <NUM> are placed substantially in continuity with each other, although preferably not resting. In use, the water leaks through the upper panel <NUM>, <NUM> and subsequently also through the lower panel <NUM>, <NUM>, to then possibly be collected in a tank <NUM> and circulated again by means of a pump <NUM> through the hydraulic circuit <NUM> toward the upper distributor device <NUM>.

In accordance with a second embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, between the upper panel <NUM>, <NUM> and the lower panel <NUM>, <NUM> a distribution panel <NUM> is positioned, i.e. a panel made of absorbent and permeable material, configured to receive the water leaked through the upper panel <NUM>, <NUM> and distribute it in the longitudinal direction so as to uniform the humidification of the underlying lower panel <NUM>, <NUM>.

Also in this variant for each pair of superimposed panels there are provided only respective upper distributor devices <NUM> disposed above the upper panels <NUM>, <NUM> while the lower panels <NUM>, <NUM> receive water from the overlying panels.

According to a third embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the hydraulic circuit <NUM> comprises both an upper distributor device <NUM> positioned above each upper panel <NUM>, <NUM>, and a lower distributor device <NUM> disposed above each lower panel <NUM>, <NUM>.

Each upper distributor device <NUM> is connected to the water source <NUM>, while each lower distributor device <NUM> is connected to a water collection tank <NUM> positioned below the upper panel <NUM>, <NUM> and configured to collect water leaked through it.

Thus, while each upper distributor device <NUM> receives water from the water source <NUM>, each lower distributor device <NUM> receives water that is leaked through the upper panel <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to a fourth embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, for each pair of superimposed panels, the hydraulic circuit <NUM> comprises both a distributor device <NUM> and a lower distributor device <NUM>, each of which is connected to the water source <NUM>.

According to such embodiment, each lower <NUM> and upper <NUM> pipe is connected by means of respective conduits <NUM> to each lower <NUM> and respectively upper <NUM> distributor device.

Below each lower <NUM>, <NUM> and/or upper panel <NUM>, <NUM> a respective water collection tank <NUM>, <NUM> can be provided, which can be connected to a common tank, not illustrated, from which the water can be circulated again through the hydraulic circuit <NUM>.

The two distributor devices <NUM> can be associated with respective pumps <NUM> or other feed means, in such a way as to be controlled independently of each other.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment variant of an apparatus <NUM> comprising a plurality of lower modules <NUM>, in this case three, and respective upper modules <NUM> superimposed thereon. In this way it is possible to create cooling apparatuses <NUM> having the required dimensions from time to time.

Embodiments described herein also refer to a method for installing a cooling apparatus <NUM>, which provides to:.

The method provides in particular for aligning and engaging with each other respective lower <NUM> and upper <NUM> shoulder elements provided on the upper <NUM> and lower <NUM> module that act as guide means <NUM>, positioning in contact respective transverse elements <NUM>, <NUM> of the support structures <NUM>, <NUM> of the two modules <NUM>, <NUM> and connecting them to each other, preferably by means of brackets <NUM> and removable attachment means <NUM>.

According to embodiments, the method provides for reciprocally connecting the electrical wiring <NUM>, <NUM> of the two modules <NUM>, <NUM> by means of quick-type connectors <NUM>.

The method also provides for connecting the lower <NUM> and upper <NUM> pipes together by means of a hydraulic connection joint <NUM> that can be advantageously screwed to both ends, and possibly connect the hydraulic circuit <NUM> to a water source <NUM>.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the cooling apparatus <NUM> and the installation method as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve other equivalent forms of a cooling apparatus <NUM> and installation methods, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claim 1:
Modular adiabatic cooling apparatus (<NUM>) comprising a lower module (<NUM>) and an upper module (<NUM>) which is provided with a ventilation device (<NUM>), wherein each of said modules (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises, pre-installed, a pair of heat exchangers (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) wherein said modules (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprise reciprocal guide (<NUM>) and coupling (<NUM>) means disposed in correspondence with respective connection faces (<NUM>, <NUM>) and have a non-operating configuration in which they are separated from each other, and an operating configuration in which they are disposed stacked one on top of the other and in which said upper module (<NUM>) is located resting on said lower module (<NUM>) in correspondence with respective rest portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) and said guide (<NUM>) and coupling (<NUM>) means are reciprocally engaged, characterized in that said pair of heat exchangers (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are disposed parallel in a vertical direction on opposite sides of a housing (<NUM>, <NUM>), and in that it comprises a pair of adiabatic humidification panels (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), each disposed on an external side of a heat exchanger (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).