EP0224537B1 - Cooling tunnel - Google Patents

Cooling tunnel Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0224537B1
EP0224537B1 EP86903422A EP86903422A EP0224537B1 EP 0224537 B1 EP0224537 B1 EP 0224537B1 EP 86903422 A EP86903422 A EP 86903422A EP 86903422 A EP86903422 A EP 86903422A EP 0224537 B1 EP0224537 B1 EP 0224537B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
tunnel according
tunnel
cooling
orifices
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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EP86903422A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0224537A1 (en
Inventor
Bernard Boyer
Louis Giacinti
Jean-Yves Thonnelier
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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Application filed by LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Priority to AT86903422T priority Critical patent/ATE51290T1/en
Publication of EP0224537A1 publication Critical patent/EP0224537A1/en
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D3/10—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using liquefied gases, e.g. liquid air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D3/10—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using liquefied gases, e.g. liquid air
    • F25D3/102—Stationary cabinets

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cooling tunnel of the type described in the preamble of claim 1. It applies in particular to the cooling of a succession of cold parts in other members.
  • FR-A-2 349 110 provides a cooling tunnel of the aforementioned type.
  • the refrigerant may contain non-vaporized droplets when it enters the tube. This is doubly disadvantageous: on the one hand from the point of view of thermal efficiency, on the other hand due to the losses of liquid which are liable to occur if the tube is directly opened downwards.
  • the object of the invention is to eliminate these drawbacks by providing a cooling device making it possible to obtain a wide range of cooling temperatures at the cost of reduced consumption of cryogenic liquid.
  • the subject of the invention is a cooling tunnel of the aforementioned type, characterized by the content of the characterizing part of claim 1.
  • the tunnel shown in FIG. 1 is intended for cooling a succession of rings A, for example valve guides, intended to be cold fitted into cylinder heads of automobile engines.
  • This tunnel of general shape of revolution around a vertical axis X - X, comprises a central tube 1 surrounded by a second tube 2, a heat exchanger 3 disposed around the tube 2, a device 4 for closing off the lower end of the tube 1, and thermal insulation 5 contained in an outer envelope 6.
  • the tube 1 which is adapted to surround the rings A with significant play, is open at its two ends; it defines with the tube 2 an annular intrermediate chamber 7 closed at its two ends by suitable upper 8 and lower 9 plugs, the latter being of a thermally insulating material.
  • the tube 1 has a ring of orifices 10 situated a little above the plug 9.
  • the heat exchanger 3 is arranged in the middle region of the tube 2 and extends over part of the length of this tube. It consists of a wire 11 wound helically around the tube 2 and clamped between this tube and a sealed casing 12. The wire 11 thus delimits in the casing 12 a helical duct 13 whose lower end is connected to a pipe 14 d 'supply of liquid nitrogen controlled by a solenoid valve 15, while the upper end of the conduit 13 cammunique with the chamber 7 by a ring of orifices 16.
  • the insulation 5 may consist of an insulating material, for example a plastic foam, which fills the space delimited by the casing 12, the upper and lower parts of the tube 2 and the casing 6.
  • a temperature probe 17 passes through the casing 6, the insulation 5 and the tube 2 and enters the chamber 7, at the level of the orifices 10. This probe controls the opening or closing of the solenoid valve 15 according to the temperature sensed, via a control box 18.
  • the closure device 4 made of plastic, comprises a fixed horizontal plate 19 provided with an opening 20 offset relative to the axis X - X, and a drawer plate 21 whose thickness is equal to that of 'A ring A and which can slide between the plate 19 and the underside of the plug 9 under the action of a jack (not shown).
  • This drawer plate has an opening 22 which, like the opening 20, has a diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the tube 1; it can slide between two positions in one of which ( Figure 1) the opening 22 is opposite the tube 1 and a solid region of the plate 19, while in the other position ( Figure 2), this opening is located directly above opening 20.
  • the rings A are stacked flat in the tube 1, over almost the entire height of the latter, and the solenoid valve 15 is opened.
  • Liquid nitrogen penetrates via the pipe 14 into the pipe 13, vaporizes there and penetrates in gaseous form into the intermediate chamber 7 through the orifices 16.
  • the nitrogen gas heats up by yielding cold to the tube 1 and to the rings A and circulates from top to bottom.
  • the probe 17 After a transient cooling phase, the probe 17 detects a set cold temperature and begins to regulate the supply of liquid nitrogen by means of an appropriate valve 15.
  • the rings A located at the bottom of the tube 1 are cooled to the desired cold temperature, for example between -60 ° C and -170 ° C. They are extracted one by one from the tunnel by alternately bringing the slide 21 in the position of FIG. 1, or a ring A falls in the opening 19, and in that of FIG. 2, where this ring falls through the opening 20 in a receiving device not shown.
  • the heat of vaporization of liquid nitrogen and the sensible heat of nitrogen gas are best used for cooling the rings A.
  • the upward, downward path, and then again with nitrogen makes it possible to obtain effective cooling, against the current, of the stack of rings A while ensuring that no loss of liquid nitrogen takes place. will produce through the closure device 4, since only nitrogen gas enters the tube 1 through the orifices 10.
  • the solenoid valve 15 when the solenoid valve 15 is open, the rings A are kept under a nitrogen atmosphere, which avoids the presence of moisture or ice on these parts.
  • the device is flexible, easily automatable and allows the desired fitting temperature to be obtained precisely with reduced consumption of liquid nitrogen.
  • the chamber 7 can be filled with a packing of the bulk type (balls, "Dixxon” rings) or other (mesh, metal sponge), or else provide in this chamber fins forming baffles.
  • this lining or these fins are made of a thermally conductive material, they also have the advantage of improving the heat exchange between the nitrogen and the objects to be cooled.
  • the tunnel of FIGS. 1 and 2 is more particularly adapted to the case where the thermal insulation 5 is not under vacuum. In fact, it is then possible to close the corresponding inter-wall space without involving a metal part forming a thermal bridge between the lower end of the device, which is at ambient temperature, and the location of the orifices 10, which is at the low set temperature.
  • the central tube 1 has a rectangular section to receive the rings A with clearance on the edge, then that the tube 2 remains of circular section.
  • the tubes 1 and 2 are extended downwards for a substantial distance, for example over 10 to 20 cm, below the orifices 10.
  • the lower end of the tube 2 is connected by a welded ring 24 to that of the envelope exterior 6.
  • the annular space delimited between the tubes 1 and 2 is filled with a plug 9 made of insulating material, for example a foam, below the orifices 10.
  • the drawer 21 is full and slides horizontally, under the action of a jack 25, against the underside of the plug 9. It only serves to seal the tube 1.
  • a jack 25 against the underside of the plug 9. It only serves to seal the tube 1.
  • the tube 1 has a passage orifice for each of the two fingers.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 also show the lining 31 which was discussed above and which fills the space between the tubes 1 and 2 and above the plug 9.
  • the drawer 21 In the position shown, the drawer 21 is closed; the lower finger 27 enters the tube 1, while the upper finger 26 is retracted and does not protrude into this tube.
  • the column of rings A therefore rests on the finger 27.
  • the vaporized nitrogen enters the tube 1 through the orifices 10, just below the lower ring A, and cools all the rings against the current.
  • the finger 26 is extended, which enters the tube 1 and retains the second ring. In time or just after, the drawer 21 is opened and the finger 27 is retracted.
  • the lower ring cooled to the set temperature thanks to its standby position adjacent to the orifices 10, then falls out of the tunnel, into an appropriate receiving device (not shown). Then the drawer 21 is closed, the finger 27 is extended again and the finger 26 is retracted, so that the column of rings descends by a notch, and a new cycle is repeated. As will be understood, the entire operation can be easily automated.
  • a safety device ensures the closing of the solenoid valve 15 when the drawer 21 is open.
  • the heat losses are reduced thanks to the distance of the orifices 10 from the outlet of the tunnel, and each ring is nevertheless maintained at the cold set temperature until it is removed from the device.
  • the invention applies to the cooling of various types of mechanical parts intended to be cold-pressed (guides and valve seats, pinions, etc.) and can extend to the cooling of bulk materials; in the latter case, the shutter and retaining device 4 or 21 - 26 - 27 can be omitted, the cooled material resting on an embankment contained in an appropriate evacuation receptacle sealingly connected to the lower part of the outer casing 6 or of the tube 1. It would also be possible, in the same case, to replace the closure and retaining device with a sealed metering device such as a rotary cell valve, although the device 4 Figures 1 and 2 can also play this role.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physical Vapour Deposition (AREA)

Abstract

The disclosed tunnel comprises a tube (1) wherein are piled parts (A) to be cooled, and an intermediate chamber (7) surrounding said tube and a heat exchanger (3) being arranged around the chamber. Liquid nitrogene is vaporized from bottom to top in the exchanger, goes down into the chamber (7) and goes up into the tube (1), the in-supply of liquid nitrogene being controlled by a temperature sensor (17). Application to cold fitting of parts in the mechanical industry.

Description

La présente invention est relative à un tunnel de refroidissement du type décrit dans le préambule de la revendication 1. Elle s'applique en particulier au refroidissement d'une succession de pièces à froid dans d'autres organes.The present invention relates to a cooling tunnel of the type described in the preamble of claim 1. It applies in particular to the cooling of a succession of cold parts in other members.

Il est connu de refroidir des pièces pour les contracter avant leur emmanchement. L'utilisation d'un groupe frigorifique ne permettant pas d'obtenir des températures inférieures à -60°C, ce qui est souvent insuffisant, il a été proposé de tremper les pièces dans un liquide cryogénique tel que l'azote liquide.It is known to cool parts in order to contract them before they are fitted. The use of a refrigeration unit does not allow temperatures below -60 ° C to be obtained, which is often insufficient, it has been proposed to dip the parts in a cryogenic liquid such as liquid nitrogen.

Cependant, ce procédé est coûteux, car il consomme de grandes quantités d'azote liquide, dont les propriétés réfrigérantes ne sont pas utilisées de façon optimale.However, this process is expensive because it consumes large quantities of liquid nitrogen, the cooling properties of which are not used optimally.

Par ailleurs, le FR-A-2 349 110 propose un tunnel de refroidissement du type précité. Dans ce tunnel, le fluide réfrigérant peut contenir des gouttelettes non vaporisées lorsqu'il pénètre dans le tube. Ceci est doublement désavantageux: d'une part du point de vue du rendement thermique, d'autre part du fait des pertes de liquide qui risquent de se produire si le tube est directement ouvert vers le bas.Furthermore, FR-A-2 349 110 provides a cooling tunnel of the aforementioned type. In this tunnel, the refrigerant may contain non-vaporized droplets when it enters the tube. This is doubly disadvantageous: on the one hand from the point of view of thermal efficiency, on the other hand due to the losses of liquid which are liable to occur if the tube is directly opened downwards.

L'invention a pour but d'éliminer ces inconvénients en fournissant un appareil de refroidissement permettant d'obtenir une large gamme de températures de refroidissement au prix d'une consommation réduite en liquide cryogénique.The object of the invention is to eliminate these drawbacks by providing a cooling device making it possible to obtain a wide range of cooling temperatures at the cost of reduced consumption of cryogenic liquid.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un tunnel de refroidissement du type précité, caractérisé par le contenu de la partie caractérisante de la revendication 1.To this end, the subject of the invention is a cooling tunnel of the aforementioned type, characterized by the content of the characterizing part of claim 1.

Un exemple de réalisation de l'invention va maintenant être décrit en regard du dessin annexé, sur lequel:

  • - la figure 1 est une vue en coupe verticale d'un tunnel de refroidissement conforme à l'invention;
  • - la figure 2 est une vue analogue de l'extrémité inférieure du tunnel, dans une autre phase de son fonctionnement;
  • - la figure 3 est une vue d'un autre mode de réalisation du tunnel suivant l'invention, prise en coupe transversale suivant la ligne III - III de la figure 4; et
  • - la figure 4 est une vue en coupe longitudinale, prise suivant la ligne IV - IV de la figure 3, de la partie inférieure de ce tunnel.
An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawing, in which:
  • - Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a cooling tunnel according to the invention;
  • - Figure 2 is a similar view of the lower end of the tunnel, in another phase of its operation;
  • - Figure 3 is a view of another embodiment of the tunnel according to the invention, taken in cross section along line III - III of Figure 4; and
  • - Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken along the line IV - IV of Figure 3, of the lower part of this tunnel.

Le tunnel représenté à la figure 1 est destiné au refroidissement d'une succession de bagues A, par exemple de guides de soupapes, destinées à être emmanchées à froid dans des culasses de moteurs d'automobile. Ce tunnel de forme générale de révolution autour d'un axe vertical X - X, comprend un tube central 1 entouré d'un second tube 2, un échangeur de chaleur 3 disposé autour du tube 2, un dispositif 4 d'obturation de l'extrémité inférieure du tube 1, et une isolation thermique 5 contenue dans une enveloppe extérieure 6.The tunnel shown in FIG. 1 is intended for cooling a succession of rings A, for example valve guides, intended to be cold fitted into cylinder heads of automobile engines. This tunnel of general shape of revolution around a vertical axis X - X, comprises a central tube 1 surrounded by a second tube 2, a heat exchanger 3 disposed around the tube 2, a device 4 for closing off the lower end of the tube 1, and thermal insulation 5 contained in an outer envelope 6.

Le tube 1, qui est adapté pour entourer les bagues A avec un jeu notable, est ouvert à ses deux extrémités; il délimite avec le tube 2 une chambre annulaire intrermédiaire 7 obturée à ses deux extrémités par des bouchons appropriés supérieur 8 et inférieur 9, ce dernier étant en une matière thermiquement isolante. Le tube 1 comporte une couronne d'orifices 10 située un peu au-dessus du bouchon 9.The tube 1, which is adapted to surround the rings A with significant play, is open at its two ends; it defines with the tube 2 an annular intrermediate chamber 7 closed at its two ends by suitable upper 8 and lower 9 plugs, the latter being of a thermally insulating material. The tube 1 has a ring of orifices 10 situated a little above the plug 9.

L'échangeur de chaleur 3 est disposé dans la région médiane du tube 2 et s'étend sur une partie de la longueur de ce tube. Il est constitué d'un fil 11 enroulé hélicoïdalement autour du tube 2 et serré entre ce tube et un carter étanche 12. Le fil 11 délimite ainsi dans le carter 12 un conduit hélicoïdal 13 dont l'extrémité inférieure est reliée à une conduite 14 d'amenée d'azote liquide commandée par une électrovanne 15, tandis que l'extrémité supérieure du conduit 13 cammunique avec la chambre 7 par une couronne d'orifices 16.The heat exchanger 3 is arranged in the middle region of the tube 2 and extends over part of the length of this tube. It consists of a wire 11 wound helically around the tube 2 and clamped between this tube and a sealed casing 12. The wire 11 thus delimits in the casing 12 a helical duct 13 whose lower end is connected to a pipe 14 d 'supply of liquid nitrogen controlled by a solenoid valve 15, while the upper end of the conduit 13 cammunique with the chamber 7 by a ring of orifices 16.

L'isolation 5 peut être constituée d'une matière isolante, par exemple d'une mousse de matière plastique, qui emplit l'espace délimité par le carter 12, les parties supérieure et inférieure du tube 2 et l'enveloppe 6.The insulation 5 may consist of an insulating material, for example a plastic foam, which fills the space delimited by the casing 12, the upper and lower parts of the tube 2 and the casing 6.

Une sonde de température 17 traverse l'enveloppe 6, l'isolation 5 et le tube 2 et pénètre dans la chambre 7, au niveau des orifices 10. Cette sonde commande l'ouverture ou la fermeture de l'électrovanne 15 en fonction de la température captée, par l'intermédiaire d'un coffret de régulation 18.A temperature probe 17 passes through the casing 6, the insulation 5 and the tube 2 and enters the chamber 7, at the level of the orifices 10. This probe controls the opening or closing of the solenoid valve 15 according to the temperature sensed, via a control box 18.

Le dispositif d'obturation 4, réalisé en matière plastique, comprend une plaque horizontale fixe 19 pourvue d'une ouverture 20 décalée par rapport à l'axe X - X, et une plaque-tiroir 21 dont l'épaisseur est égale à celle d'une bague A et qui peut coulisser entre la plaque 19 et la face inférieure du bouchon 9 sous l'action d'un vérin (non représenté). Cette plaque-tiroir comporte une ouverture 22 qui, comme l'ouverture 20, a un diamètre sensiblement égal au diamètre intérieur du tube 1; elle peut coulisser entre deux positions dans l'une desquelles (figure 1) l'ouverture 22 se trouve en regard du tube 1 et d'une région pleine de la plaque 19, tandis que dans l'autre position (figure 2), cette ouverture se trouve à l'aplomb de l'ouverture 20.The closure device 4, made of plastic, comprises a fixed horizontal plate 19 provided with an opening 20 offset relative to the axis X - X, and a drawer plate 21 whose thickness is equal to that of 'A ring A and which can slide between the plate 19 and the underside of the plug 9 under the action of a jack (not shown). This drawer plate has an opening 22 which, like the opening 20, has a diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the tube 1; it can slide between two positions in one of which (Figure 1) the opening 22 is opposite the tube 1 and a solid region of the plate 19, while in the other position (Figure 2), this opening is located directly above opening 20.

En fonctionnement, on empile des bagues A à plat dans le tube 1, sur à peu près toute la hauteur de celui-ci, et l'on ouvre l'électrovanne 15. De l'azote liquide pénètre par la conduite 14 dans le conduit 13, s'y vaporise et pénètre sous forme gazeuse dans la chambre intermédiaire 7 par les orifices 16. Dans la chambre 7, l'azote gazeux se réchauffe en cédant du froid au tube 1 et aux bagues A et circule de haut en bas. Ainsi, c'est de l'azote purement gazeux qui pénètre par les orifices 10 dans le tube 1, entre celui-ci et les bagues A, et y remonte en se réchauffant progressivement, pour être évacué par l'extrémité supérieure du tube 1. Lorsque, comme dans l'exemple décrit, les pièces à refroidir sont des bagues ou, plus généralement, des pièces alésées, il est avantageux de prévoir dans la face supérieure du tiroir 21 et/ou de la plaque 19 un rainurage 23 qui, quelle que soit la position du tiroir, se trouve à l'aplomb du tube 1, sous la bague A inférieure, et permet à l'azote de pénétrer à l'intérieur des alésages des bagues.In operation, the rings A are stacked flat in the tube 1, over almost the entire height of the latter, and the solenoid valve 15 is opened. Liquid nitrogen penetrates via the pipe 14 into the pipe 13, vaporizes there and penetrates in gaseous form into the intermediate chamber 7 through the orifices 16. In the chamber 7, the nitrogen gas heats up by yielding cold to the tube 1 and to the rings A and circulates from top to bottom. Thus, it is purely gaseous nitrogen which penetrates through the orifices 10 in the tube 1, between the latter and the rings A, and rises there by gradually heating up, to be evacuated by the upper end of the tube 1 When, as in the example described, the parts to be cooled are rings or, more generally, random parts sées, it is advantageous to provide in the upper face of the drawer 21 and / or of the plate 19 a groove 23 which, whatever the position of the drawer, is plumb with the tube 1, under the lower ring A, and allows nitrogen to enter the interior of the ring bores.

Après une phase transitoire de mise en froid, la sonde 17 détecte une température froide de consigne et commence à assurer une régulation de l'alimentation en azote liquide par une ce appropriée de l'électrovanne 15.After a transient cooling phase, the probe 17 detects a set cold temperature and begins to regulate the supply of liquid nitrogen by means of an appropriate valve 15.

Ainsi, les bagues A situées au bas du tube 1 sont refroidies jusqu'à la température froide désirée, par exemple comprise entre -60°C et -170°C. On les extrait une à une du tunnel en amenant alternativement le tiroir 21 dans la position de la figure 1, ou une bague A tombe dans l'ouverture 19, et dans celle de la figure 2, où cette bague tombe à travers l'ouverture 20 dans un dispositif de réception non représenté.Thus, the rings A located at the bottom of the tube 1 are cooled to the desired cold temperature, for example between -60 ° C and -170 ° C. They are extracted one by one from the tunnel by alternately bringing the slide 21 in the position of FIG. 1, or a ring A falls in the opening 19, and in that of FIG. 2, where this ring falls through the opening 20 in a receiving device not shown.

Grâce à l'agencement décrit ci-dessus, on utilise au mieux, pour refroidir les bagues A, la chaleur de vaporisation de l'azote liquide et la chaleur sensible de l'azote gazeux. De plus, le trajet ascendant, descendant, puis a t de nouveau de l'azote permet d'obtenir un refroidissement efficace, à contre-courant, de la pile de bagues A tout en assurant qu'aucune perte d'azote liquide ne se produira à travers le dispositif d'obturation 4, puisque seul de l'azote gazeux pénètre dans le tube 1 par les orifices 10.Thanks to the arrangement described above, the heat of vaporization of liquid nitrogen and the sensible heat of nitrogen gas are best used for cooling the rings A. In addition, the upward, downward path, and then again with nitrogen makes it possible to obtain effective cooling, against the current, of the stack of rings A while ensuring that no loss of liquid nitrogen takes place. will produce through the closure device 4, since only nitrogen gas enters the tube 1 through the orifices 10.

Il est à noter que lorsque l'électrovanne 15 est ouverte, les bagues A sont maintenues sous atmosphère d'azote, ce qui évite la présence d'humidité ou de glace sur ces pièces. A cet égard, il est avantageux de munir l'électrovanne d'un by-pass étranglé 24 pour assurer une circulation permanente d'azote de bas en haut dans le tube 1, même pendant les périodes de fermeture de l'électrovanne.It should be noted that when the solenoid valve 15 is open, the rings A are kept under a nitrogen atmosphere, which avoids the presence of moisture or ice on these parts. In this regard, it is advantageous to provide the solenoid valve with a throttled bypass 24 to ensure permanent circulation of nitrogen from bottom to top in the tube 1, even during the periods of closure of the solenoid valve.

Ainsi, l'appareil est souple, facilement auto- matisable et permet d'obtenir avec précision la température d'emmanchement désirée avec une consommation réduite d'azote liquide.Thus, the device is flexible, easily automatable and allows the desired fitting temperature to be obtained precisely with reduced consumption of liquid nitrogen.

Il est à noter que grâce à la disposition de l'échangeur de chaleur 3 à l'extérieur du tube 2, il est possible de disposer dans ce dernier différents tubes 1, ayant des sections droites de formes et de dimensions variées, adaptés à la forme et aux dimensions des objets à refroidir. En d'autres termes, la majeure partie de l'appareil est standard pour de nombreuses applications.It should be noted that thanks to the arrangement of the heat exchanger 3 outside the tube 2, it is possible to have in the latter different tubes 1, having straight sections of various shapes and sizes, adapted to the shape and dimensions of the objects to be cooled. In other words, most of the device is standard for many applications.

Pour garantir que l'azote est entièrement vaporisé lorsqu'il atteint les orifices 10, on peut emplir la chambre 7 d'un garnissage du type vrac (billes, anneaux "Dixxon") ou autre (grillage, éponge métallique), ou encore prévoir dans cette chambre des ailettes formant chicanes. Lorsque ce garnissage ou ces ailettes sont en un matériau thermiquement conducteur, ils présentent en outre l'avantage d'améliorer l'échange de chaleur entre l'azote et les objets à refroidir.To ensure that the nitrogen is completely vaporized when it reaches the orifices 10, the chamber 7 can be filled with a packing of the bulk type (balls, "Dixxon" rings) or other (mesh, metal sponge), or else provide in this chamber fins forming baffles. When this lining or these fins are made of a thermally conductive material, they also have the advantage of improving the heat exchange between the nitrogen and the objects to be cooled.

Le tunnel des figures 1 et 2 est plus particulièrement adapte au cas ou l'isolation thermique 5 n'est pas sous vide. En effet, on peut alors fermer l'espace d' interparoi correspondant sans faire intervenir de pièce métallique formant pont thermique entre l'extrémité inférieure de l'appareil, qui est à la température ambiante, et l'emplacement des orifices 10, qui est à la température basse de consigne.The tunnel of FIGS. 1 and 2 is more particularly adapted to the case where the thermal insulation 5 is not under vacuum. In fact, it is then possible to close the corresponding inter-wall space without involving a metal part forming a thermal bridge between the lower end of the device, which is at ambient temperature, and the location of the orifices 10, which is at the low set temperature.

Dans le cas d'une isolation 5 sous vide, il est préférable de réaliser la partie inférieure du tunnel de la manière représentée aux figures 3 et 4: le tube central 1 a une section rectangulaire pour recevoir avec jeu les bagues A sur chant, alors que le tube 2 reste à section circulaire. Les tubes 1 et 2 sont prolongés vers le bas sur une distance substantielle, par exemple sur 10 à 20 cm, au-dessous des orifices 10. L'extrémité inférieure du tube 2 est reliée par une bague soudée 24 à celle de l'enveloppe extérieure 6. Comme aux figures 1 et 2, l'espace annulaire délimité entre les tubes 1 et 2 est rempli d'un bouchon 9 en matière isolante, par exemple d'une mousse, au-dessous des orifices 10. En variante, on peut arrêter le tube 1 juste au-dessous des orifices 10 et en engager l'extrémité inférieure dans l'extrémité supérieure du bouchon 9, lequel est alors conformé intérieurement suivant la même section.In the case of vacuum insulation 5, it is preferable to make the lower part of the tunnel as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4: the central tube 1 has a rectangular section to receive the rings A with clearance on the edge, then that the tube 2 remains of circular section. The tubes 1 and 2 are extended downwards for a substantial distance, for example over 10 to 20 cm, below the orifices 10. The lower end of the tube 2 is connected by a welded ring 24 to that of the envelope exterior 6. As in FIGS. 1 and 2, the annular space delimited between the tubes 1 and 2 is filled with a plug 9 made of insulating material, for example a foam, below the orifices 10. Alternatively, can stop the tube 1 just below the orifices 10 and engage the lower end in the upper end of the plug 9, which is then internally shaped according to the same section.

Le tiroir 21 est plein et coulisse horizontalement, sous l'action d'un vérin 25, contre la face inférieure du bouchon 9. Il ne sert qu'à obturer le tube 1. Pour évacuer une par une les bagues A, il est prévu deux doigts horizontaux, supérieur 26 et inférieur 27, guidés à coulissement horizontal dans des traversées 28 de l'isolation 5 et actionnés par des vérins respectifs 29, 30. Ces deux doigts sont contenus dans le plan vertical des bagues A, espacés d'un diamètre de bague A, et le doigt 27 est situé légèrement au-dessus des orifices 10. Le tube 1 comporte un orifice de passage pour chacun des deux doigts.The drawer 21 is full and slides horizontally, under the action of a jack 25, against the underside of the plug 9. It only serves to seal the tube 1. To remove the rings A one by one, provision is made two horizontal fingers, upper 26 and lower 27, guided in horizontal sliding in bushings 28 of the insulation 5 and actuated by respective cylinders 29, 30. These two fingers are contained in the vertical plane of the rings A, spaced apart by a ring diameter A, and the finger 27 is situated slightly above the orifices 10. The tube 1 has a passage orifice for each of the two fingers.

On a également représenté aux figures 3 et 4 le garnissage 31 dont il a été question plus haut et qui emplit l'espace situé entre les tubes 1 et 2 et au-dessus du bouchon 9.FIGS. 3 and 4 also show the lining 31 which was discussed above and which fills the space between the tubes 1 and 2 and above the plug 9.

Dans la position représentée, le tiroir 21 est fermé; le doigt inférieur 27 pénètre dans le tube 1, tandis que le doigt supérieur 26 est rétracté et ne fait pas saillie dans ce tube. La colonne de bagues A s'appuie donc sur le doigt 27. L'azote vaporisé pénètre dans le tube 1 par les orifices 10, juste au-dessous de la bague A inférieure, et refroidit toutes les bagues à contre-courant.In the position shown, the drawer 21 is closed; the lower finger 27 enters the tube 1, while the upper finger 26 is retracted and does not protrude into this tube. The column of rings A therefore rests on the finger 27. The vaporized nitrogen enters the tube 1 through the orifices 10, just below the lower ring A, and cools all the rings against the current.

Pour libérer la bague inférieure, on met en extension le doigt 26, qui pénètre dans le tube 1 et vient retenir la seconde bague. En temps ou juste après, on ouvre le tiroir 21 et on rétracte le doigt 27.To release the lower ring, the finger 26 is extended, which enters the tube 1 and retains the second ring. In time or just after, the drawer 21 is opened and the finger 27 is retracted.

La bague inférieure, refroidie à la température de consigne grâce à sa position d'attente adjacente aux orifices 10, tombe alors hors du tunnel, dans un dispositif de réception approprié (non représenté). Puis on referme le tiroir 21, on remet le doigt 27 en extension et on rétracte le doigt 26, de sorte que la colonne de bagues descend d'un cran, et un nouveau cycle se répète. Comme on le comprend, l'ensemble du fonctionnement peut être facilement automatisé.The lower ring, cooled to the set temperature thanks to its standby position adjacent to the orifices 10, then falls out of the tunnel, into an appropriate receiving device (not shown). Then the drawer 21 is closed, the finger 27 is extended again and the finger 26 is retracted, so that the column of rings descends by a notch, and a new cycle is repeated. As will be understood, the entire operation can be easily automated.

Pour éviter un appel intempestif d'azote liquide, une sécurité assure la fermeture de l'électrovanne 15 lorsque le tiroir 21 est ouvert.To avoid an inadvertent call for liquid nitrogen, a safety device ensures the closing of the solenoid valve 15 when the drawer 21 is open.

Dans ce mode de réalisation, les pertes de chaleur sont réduites grâce à l'éloignement des orifices 10 de la sortie du tunnel, et chaque bague est maintenue néanmoins à la température froide de consigne jusqu'à son évacuation de l'appareil.In this embodiment, the heat losses are reduced thanks to the distance of the orifices 10 from the outlet of the tunnel, and each ring is nevertheless maintained at the cold set temperature until it is removed from the device.

L'invention s'applique au refroidissement de divers types de pièces mécaniques destinées à être emmanchées à froid (guides et sièges de soupapes, pignons,...) et peut s'étendre au refroidissement de matières en vrac; dans ce dernier cas, le dispositif d'obturation et de retenue 4 ou 21 - 26 - 27 peut être supprimé, la matière refroidie s'appuyant sur un talus contenu dans un réceptacle d'évacuation approprié se raccordant de façon étanche à la partie inférieure de l'enveloppe extérieure 6 ou du tube 1. Il serait également possible, dans le même cas, de remplacer le dispositif d'obturation et de retenue par un dispositif doseur étanche tel qu'une vanne rotative à alvéoles, bien que le dispositif 4 des figures 1 et 2 puisse également jouer ce rôle.The invention applies to the cooling of various types of mechanical parts intended to be cold-pressed (guides and valve seats, pinions, etc.) and can extend to the cooling of bulk materials; in the latter case, the shutter and retaining device 4 or 21 - 26 - 27 can be omitted, the cooled material resting on an embankment contained in an appropriate evacuation receptacle sealingly connected to the lower part of the outer casing 6 or of the tube 1. It would also be possible, in the same case, to replace the closure and retaining device with a sealed metering device such as a rotary cell valve, although the device 4 Figures 1 and 2 can also play this role.

Claims (14)

1. A cooling tunnel of the type comprising a tube (1) which has an upper opening for supply of material (A) to be cooled and a lower opening for remowal by gravity of the material cooled, and means for causing a fluid resulting from the vapourisation of a cryogenic liquid to flow upwards from below in the tube, characterised in that the said means comprise an intermediate chamber (7), closed off at both its ends and co-axially surrounding the tube (1) and a heat exchanger (3) co-axial with the tube and arranged on the outside of the said chamber, this exchanger comprising a duct (13) of which an inlet end is connected to a source of a cryogenic liquid and of which the upper outlet end opens into the intermediate chamber, this latter communicating via orifices (10) with the tube (1) in the vicinity of its lower end.
2. A tunnel according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate chamber contains a filling (31) or baffles, preferably of a thermally conductive material.
3. A tunnel according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that it comprises a temperature probe (17) adapted to detect the temperature of the cooling fluid at the level of the said orifices (10) and an electrovalve (15) controlled by this temperature probe, for controlling the supply of cryogenic liquid to the exchanger (3).
4. A tunnel according to claim 3, characterized in that the electrovalve (15) is provided with a throttled by-pass (24).
5. A tunnel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it comprises means (4) for closing the lower opening of the tube (1).
6. A tunnel according to claim 5, characterised in that the said closing means (4) include mear!s (21) for removing successive charges of the cooled material.
7. A tunnel according to claim 6, characterised in that the said shutting means include a slide (21) mowable between the lower end of the tunnel and a fixed guide plate (19) and having an opening (22) which in a first position of the slide is placed in alignment with the lower end of the tube (1) and with a solid part of the said plate (19) and which, in a second position of the slide, is placed in alignment with an opening (20) of this plate.
8. A tunnel according to any one of claims 1 to 7, for cooling a succession of individual parts (A), characterised in that the cross-section of the tube (1) matches the cross-section of the parts (A) with an appreciable clearance.
9. A tunnel according to claims 7 and 8 taken together for cooling a stack of bored parts (A), characterised in that the upper surface of the slide (21) comprises grooving (23) which, in the said second position of the slide, is placed in alignment with the tube (1).
10. A tunnel according to claim 9, characterised in that the top surface of the guiding plate (19) comprises grooving (23) positioned in vertical alignment with the tube (1).
11. A tunnel according to claim 6, far cooling a succession of individual parts (A), characterised in that it comprises means (27) for selectively retaining the lower part (A) close to the said orifices (10) and means (28) for selectively retaining the part (A) immediately above.
12. A tunnel according to claim 11, characterised in that the passage defined by the tube (1) is extended with the same cross-section for a certain distance below the said orifices (10).
13. A tunnel according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the axis (X - X) of the tube (1) is vertical.
EP86903422A 1985-06-11 1986-06-04 Cooling tunnel Expired - Lifetime EP0224537B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT86903422T ATE51290T1 (en) 1985-06-11 1986-06-04 COOLING TUNNEL.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8508777A FR2583149B1 (en) 1985-06-11 1985-06-11 COOLING TUNNEL
FR8508777 1985-06-11

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0224537A1 EP0224537A1 (en) 1987-06-10
EP0224537B1 true EP0224537B1 (en) 1990-03-21

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EP86903422A Expired - Lifetime EP0224537B1 (en) 1985-06-11 1986-06-04 Cooling tunnel

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US (1) US4741168A (en)
EP (1) EP0224537B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH0781767B2 (en)
KR (1) KR880700224A (en)
AU (1) AU584219B2 (en)
BR (1) BR8606724A (en)
CA (1) CA1307931C (en)
DE (1) DE3669774D1 (en)
ES (1) ES8900060A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2583149B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1986007440A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA864348B (en)

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US5520004A (en) * 1994-06-28 1996-05-28 Jones, Iii; Robert H. Apparatus and methods for cryogenic treatment of materials
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US20070294912A1 (en) * 2006-05-11 2007-12-27 Ernesto Renzi Integrated heater/cooler

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CN105143794A (en) * 2013-03-22 2015-12-09 大阳日酸株式会社 Sub-zero treatment device
CN105143794B (en) * 2013-03-22 2017-03-29 大阳日酸株式会社 Cryogenic treatment apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES8900060A1 (en) 1988-11-16
CA1307931C (en) 1992-09-29
JPS63500053A (en) 1988-01-07
ZA864348B (en) 1987-02-25
FR2583149B1 (en) 1988-01-08
AU584219B2 (en) 1989-05-18
BR8606724A (en) 1987-08-11
EP0224537A1 (en) 1987-06-10
DE3669774D1 (en) 1990-04-26
AU5953586A (en) 1987-01-07
WO1986007440A1 (en) 1986-12-18
US4741168A (en) 1988-05-03
KR880700224A (en) 1988-02-20
ES555895A0 (en) 1988-11-16
JPH0781767B2 (en) 1995-09-06
FR2583149A1 (en) 1986-12-12

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