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 . (canceled)  
   
   
       2 . Climatic device comprising a working space and an equipment space, connected thereto via at least one connection opening, with a heat exchanger arranged therein, characterized by the fact 
 that a blocking device is provided with which the exchange of gas between the working space and the equipment space via the connection opening can be selectively suppressed, wherein there is at least a such opening    that the blocking device is a device for forming a gas curtain transversely to the connection opening, 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 comprises at least one gas blower opening, 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 is arranged in the region of the entrance of the connection opening, 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 is arranged in the region inside the connection opening and, in particular, in one of the connection opening walls that define the connection opening.    
   
   
       6 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 5 , characterized by the fact 
 that gas blower openings are present in the region of several connection opening walls, 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 is surrounded by a gas collection chamber at least in those regions into which the gas blower openings issue, wherein this gas collection chamber communicates with the gas blower openings 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 are configured in the form of openings in the wall of a gas supply line.    
   
   
       9 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 8 , characterized by the fact 
 that a gas supply line is arranged along at least one side of the connection opening.    
   
   
       10 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 9 , characterized by the fact 
 that a gas supply line surrounds the connection opening 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.    
   
   
       13 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized by the fact 
 that the gas 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 is a mechanical seal, especially a flap and preferably a self-closing flap, or a sliding valve.    
   
   
       15 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 14 , characterized by the fact 
 that the mechanical seal is a sliding valve that is arranged in the working space and can be actuated by a transport system that is located in the working space.    
   
   
       16 . Climatic device in accordance with  claim 14 , characterized by the fact 
 that at least two connection openings are present that are capable of being sealed by means of flaps, wherein one of the flaps opens toward the equipment space and the other flap opens toward the working space.    
   
   
       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 and/or the equipment space, 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 is coupled to the operating state of the heat exchanger and/or to the temperature in the equipment space.    
   
   
       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 and interrupts the operation of the heat exchanger at the same time as the activation of the blocking device, or after the activation thereof.    
   
   
       21 . Process in accordance with  claim 20 , characterized by the fact 
 that the blocking device is de-activated when the heat exchanger is re-activated.    
   
   
       22 . Process in accordance with  claim 20 , characterized by the fact 
 that the blocking device is a device for forming a gas curtain whose operation is not interrupted after the heat exchanger is actuated.