Water chiller

Abstract

A water chiller includes at least one refrigeration apparatus, a water circuit in which circulates a water flow to be cooled down, and at least one fan generating an air flow (Fl) that is aspired from the outside. The refrigeration apparatus comprises a refrigerant circuit functioning in closed loop and comprising a compressor, at least one condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator. The condenser is configured to release heat from the refrigerant to the air flow (Fl) under action of said at least one fan, the evaporator is configured to draw heat from the water flow to cool down said water flow. The water chiller further comprises at least one free cooling heat exchanger, configured to be exposed to the air flow (Fl), and connectable to the water circuit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A water chiller comprising:
 at least one refrigeration apparatus,   a water circuit in which circulates a water flow to be cooled down,   at least one fan generating an air flow that is aspired from the outside;   the refrigeration apparatus comprising a refrigerant circuit functioning in closed loop,   the refrigerant circuit comprising a compressor, at least one condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator,   said condenser being configured to release heat from the refrigerant to the air flow under action of said at least one fan,   said evaporator being configured to draw heat from the water flow to cool down said water flow,   wherein the water chiller further comprises at least one free cooling heat exchanger, configured to be exposed to the air flow, and connectable to the water circuit,   and wherein the water chiller comprises controllable air flow direction means adapted to selectively:
 direct the air flow away from said at least one free cooling heat exchanger, in a mechanical cooling configuration in which the refrigeration apparatus is running and said at least one free cooling heat exchanger is disconnected from the water circuit; or 
 direct the air flow through said at least one free cooling heat exchanger, in a free cooling configuration in which the refrigeration apparatus is stopped and said at least one free cooling heat exchanger is connected to the water circuit. 
   
     
     
         2 . A water chiller according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a temperature sensor configured to measure an ambient air temperature outside the water chiller, and a control unit configured to respectively run the water chiller in mechanical cooling configuration or in free cooling configuration depending on the ambient air temperature being respectively superior or inferior to a temperature threshold. 
     
     
         3 . A water chiller according to  claim 2 , wherein the control unit is configured to control the controllable closure means, the refrigeration system, and valves connecting the at least one free cooling heat exchanger to the water circuit. 
     
     
         4 . A water chiller according to  claim 1 , wherein the controllable air flow direction means are formed by louvers, that are movable between a closed position, in which they form a panel preventing the air flow from passing through them and directing the air flow towards the at least one free cooling heat exchanger, and an open position, in which the air flow passes through the louvers away from said at least one free cooling heat exchanger. 
     
     
         5 . A water chiller according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one condenser is provided on a vertical lateral side of the water chiller, and wherein the at least one free cooling heat exchanger is provided on the same vertical side of the water chiller above said at least one condenser. 
     
     
         6 . Water chiller according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one free cooling heat exchanger extends in vertical alignment with the at least one con 
     
     
         7 . Water chiller according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one free cooling heat exchanger has a V shape protruding from a vertical alignment of the at least one condenser. 
     
     
         8 . Water chiller according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one free cooling heat exchanger and the controllable closing means are provided on a top side of the water chiller above the at least one fan. 
     
     
         9 . Water chiller according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one free cooling heat exchanger and the controllable closing means are provided as an additional module to be mounted on top of an existing water chiller. 
     
     
         10 . Water chiller according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises two symmetric subassemblies, each subassembly comprising at least one condenser, at least one free cooling heat exchanger, at least one fan and a set of controllable air flow direction means, said two symmetric subassemblies being provided on both sides of a central plane and symmetric with respect to said central plane.