Device for Climate Control of Greenhouses

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for controlling the climate in a greenhouse, comprising a first heat exchanger ( 7 ) with a first series of channels ( 7 a ) and a second series of channels ( 7 b ), greenhouse supply means ( 1 ) leading from the greenhouse to the first series of channels, outside supply means ( 5 ) leading from outside to the second series of channels, greenhouse discharge means ( 4 ) leading from the device to the greenhouse and outside discharge means ( 6 ) leading from the device to the outside, wherein the greenhouse discharge means connect to the first series of channels and the outside discharge means connect to the second series of channels. The air is hereby retained in the greenhouse without supply of new air, while the temperature of the air in the greenhouse can be adjusted while maintaining a separation between greenhouse air and outside air.

1 . Device for controlling the climate in a greenhouse, comprising:
 a first heat exchanger with a first series of channels and a second series of channels, wherein the channels are adapted to mutually transfer thermal energy from fluids present in the channels;   greenhouse supply means leading from the greenhouse to the first series of channels;   outside supply means leading from outside to the second series of channels;   greenhouse discharge means leading from the device to the greenhouse; and   outside discharge means leading from the device to the outside,   
       characterized in that the greenhouse discharge means connect to the first series of channels and that the outside discharge means connect to the second series of channels. 
     
     
         2 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the device is adapted to take up a cooling position, in which the temperature of the greenhouse is reduced, or a heating position in which the temperature of the greenhouse is increased or maintained, and that the device is provided with a second heat exchanger, at least active in the heating position, with a third and a fourth series of channels. 
     
     
         3 . Device as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that in the heating position a third series of channels of a second heat exchanger is connected between the greenhouse supply means and the first channels of the first heat exchanger, and a fourth series of channels of the second heat exchanger is connected between the first channels of the first heat exchanger and the greenhouse discharge means. 
     
     
         4 . Device as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that in the cooling position the third series and fourth series of channels of the second heat exchanger are connected in parallel to respectively the first series and the second series of channels of the first heat exchanger. 
     
     
         5 . Device as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that in the cooling position fluid passes through only the fourth series of channels of the second heat exchanger and that the third series of channels of the second heat exchanger is bypassed. 
     
     
         6 . Device as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that a three-way valve is received in the connection between the first series of channels of the first heat exchanger and the fourth series of channels of the second heat exchanger, or in the connection between the fourth series of channels of the second heat exchanger and the greenhouse discharge means. 
     
     
         7 . Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the heat exchanger is formed by an enthalpy recuperator which is adapted to periodically, repeatedly and simultaneously interchange the connections between the supply means and the first and second series of channels and the connections between the discharge means and the first and second series of channels. 
     
     
         8 . Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the heat exchangers are each placed in a rectangular inner casing, that openings which can be closed by valves are arranged in the inner casing and that the openings are arranged in mutually opposite surfaces of the inner casing. 
     
     
         9 . Device as claimed in  claim 8 , characterized in that the inner casing is placed in an outer casing and formed integrally therewith, and that the walls of the outer casing, on sides where the openings are made in the inner casing, extend further outward than the walls of the inner casing. 
     
     
         10 . Device as claimed in  claim 8  or  9 , characterized in that the valves are provided with a closing plate movable substantially parallel to the closing plane. 
     
     
         11 . Device as claimed in  claim 10 , characterized in that the valves are provided with four guides which are each movable pairwise in a groove arranged in a frame and extending substantially parallel to the direction of movement, that the grooves are provided with a part extending with a component parallel to the direction of movement of the plate and with a component extending toward the seal, and that the valves are adapted for operation by a rod mechanism movable parallel to the closing plane. 
     
     
         12 . Device as claimed in any of the  claims 2 - 11 , characterized by a heat pump provided with a compressor, an evaporator and at least two coupling heat exchangers, a first of which is received between the first heat exchanger and outside supply means, and the second is received between the second heat exchanger and the greenhouse discharge means. 
     
     
         13 . Device as claimed in  claim 12 , characterized in that the third coupling heat exchanger is received between outside supply means and the first heat exchanger. 
     
     
         14 . Device as claimed in any of the  claims 2 - 13 , characterized by a heat storage element such as an aquifer which is provided with at least a first and a second coupling heat exchanger, the first of which is placed between the first heat exchanger and the outside supply means, and the second is placed between the second heat exchanger and the greenhouse discharge means. 
     
     
         15 . Device as claimed in  claim 14 , characterized by a third coupling heat exchanger placed between the outside supply means and the first heat exchanger. 
     
     
         16 . Device as claimed in  claim 14  or  15 , characterized by a heat storage element such as an aquifer which is provided with at least a first coupling heat exchanger which is coupled to the heat pump.