Climatic device, and process for defrosting a heat exchanger in a climatic device

Abstract

The invention pertains to a climatic device comprising a working space and an equipment space connected thereto via at least one connection opening, wherein a heat exchanger is arranged in said equipment space. In order to prevent the penetration of moist and cold air into the working space when defrosting the heat exchanger, a blocking device is provided in accordance with the invention with which the exchange of gas via a connection opening can be selectively prevented, wherein there is at least one such connection opening. The blocking device can comprise a device for producing a curtain of gas over the connection opening or a mechanical seal. In addition, the invention pertains to a process for operating the climatic device.

1 . Climatic device comprising a working space ( 2 ) and an equipment space ( 3 ), connected thereto via at least one connection opening ( 5 ), with a heat exchanger ( 4 ) arranged therein, characterized by the fact 
 that a blocking device ( 6 ,  6 ′) is provided with which the exchange of gas between the working space ( 2 ) and the equipment space ( 3 ) via the connection opening ( 5 ) can be selectively suppressed, wherein there is at least one such connection opening.    
     
     
         2 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized by the fact 
 that the blocking device ( 6 ) is a device for forming a gas curtain ( 7 ) transversely to the connection opening ( 5 ), wherein there is at least one such connection opening.    
     
     
         3 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 2 , characterized by the fact 
 that the device for forming a gas curtain ( 7 ) comprises at least one gas blower opening ( 8 ), and preferably several gas blower openings.    
     
     
         4 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 2 , characterized by the fact 
 that at least one gas blower opening ( 8 ) is arranged in the region of the entrance of the connection opening ( 5 ), this entrance being on the side where the equipment space is located and there being at least one such gas blower opening.    
     
     
         5 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 2 , characterized by the fact 
 that at least one gas blower opening ( 8 ) is arranged in the region inside the connection opening ( 5 ) and, in particular, in one of the connection opening walls ( 5   a ,  5   b ) that define the connection opening ( 5 ).    
     
     
         6 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 5 , characterized by the fact 
 that gas blower openings ( 8 ) are present in the region of several connection opening walls ( 5   a ,  5   b ), especially those located opposite one another, or in the region of all such connection opening walls.    
     
     
         7 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 5 , characterized by the fact 
 that the connection opening ( 5 ) is surrounded by a gas collection chamber ( 17 ) at least in those regions into which the gas blower openings ( 8 ) issue, wherein this gas collection chamber communicates with the gas blower openings ( 8 ) and is connected to a gas supply line.    
     
     
         8 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 3 , characterized by the fact 
 that the gas blower openings ( 8 ) are configured in the form of openings in the wall of a gas supply line ( 9 ).    
     
     
         9 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 8 , characterized by the fact that a gas supply line ( 9 ) is arranged along at least one side of the connection opening ( 5 ).  
     
     
         10 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 9 , characterized by the fact that a gas supply line surrounds the connection opening ( 5 ) at least once.  
     
     
         11 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 3 , characterized by the fact 
 that several rows of gas blower openings are arranged one above another.    
     
     
         12 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 3 , characterized by the fact 
 that at least some of the gas blower openings are aligned obliquely in the direction of the equipment space ( 3 ).    
     
     
         13 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized by the fact 
 that the gas ( 7 ′) is an essentially anhydrous gas and/or an inert gas, especially nitrogen.    
     
     
         14 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized by the fact 
 that the blocking device ( 6 ′) is a mechanical seal, especially a flap and preferably a self-closing flap, or a sliding valve ( 10 ).    
     
     
         15 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 14 , characterized by the fact 
 that the mechanical seal is a sliding valve ( 10 ) that is arranged in the working space ( 2 ) and can be actuated by a transport system ( 15 ) that is located in the working space ( 2 ).    
     
     
         16 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 14 , characterized by the fact 
 that at least two connection openings ( 5 ) are present that are capable of being sealed by means of flaps ( 18 ,  19 ), wherein one of the flaps ( 18 ) opens toward the equipment space ( 3 ) and the other flap ( 19 ) opens toward the working space ( 2 ).    
     
     
         17 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 14 , characterized by the fact 
 that the mechanical seal is capable of being actuated by means of a motorized drive system or electromagnetically.    
     
     
         18 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 14 , characterized by the fact 
 that the mechanical seal is thermally insulated relative to the working space ( 2 ) and/or the equipment space ( 3 ), and that it made from a material with low thermal conductivity or is heatable.    
     
     
         19 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized by the fact 
 that a control device is provided that is configured such that the actuation of the blocking device ( 6 ,  6 ′) is coupled to the operating state of the heat exchanger ( 4 ) and/or to the temperature in the equipment space ( 3 ).    
     
     
         20 . Process for the operation of a climatic device in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized by the fact 
 that the control device actuates the blocking device ( 6 ,  6 ′) and interrupts the operation of the heat exchanger ( 4 ) at the same time as the activation of the blocking device ( 6 ,  6 ′), or after the activation thereof.    
     
     
         21 . Process in accordance with  claim 20 , characterized by the fact 
 that the blocking device ( 6 ,  6 ′) is de-activated when the heat exchanger ( 4 ) is re-activated.    
     
     
         22 . Process in accordance with  claim 20 , characterized by the fact 
 that the blocking device ( 6 ,  6 ′) is a device for forming a gas curtain ( 7 ) whose operation is not interrupted after the heat exchanger ( 4 ) is actuated.