External modular device for autonomous regulation of the temperature of an enclosure

Abstract

A modular device for temperate regulation to be associated with at least one storage enclosure. The device has a thermochemical system having a tank which contains a liquefied gas that, following evaporation, combines with a reactive product contained in a reactor. The device has a switching mechanism that brings the reactor compartment into communication with only the storage enclosure in order to heat the latter and, at the same time, brings the evaporator compartment into communication with the outside of the device; and brings the evaporator compartment into communication with only the storage enclosure in order to cool the latter and, at the same time, brings the reactor compartment into communication with the outside of the device.

1 . Modular device for autonomous regulation of the temperature to a specific set value, capable of being mounted on at least one storage enclosure, characterized in that it comprises a housing that contains a thermochemical system comprising a tank, possibly forming an evaporator and containing a liquefied gas capable, after evaporation, of being combined with a reactive product contained in a reactor, according to an exothermic thermochemical reaction, the reaction product obtained being capable of being regenerated by heating while releasing said gas according to a reverse thermochemical reaction, the reactor and the evaporator of the thermochemical system respectively constituting means of heating and means of cooling said enclosure, and being respectively disposed in a reactor compartment and an evaporator compartment made in said housing, and in that said device further comprises switching means disposed in said housing and capable of:
 placing the reactor compartment in communication with only the storage enclosure in order to heat the latter, and at the same time, placing the evaporator compartment in communication with the exterior of the device,   placing the evaporator compartment in communication with only the storage enclosure in order to cool the latter, and at the same time, placing the reactor compartment in communication with the exterior of the device.   
     
     
         2 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it includes means capable of placing the reactor compartment and the evaporator compartment in communication with said first storage enclosure at the same time. 
     
     
         3 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it includes an intake duct and an outlet duct that are capable of being connected respectively to an intake and an outlet of the reactor compartment and to an intake and an outlet of the evaporator compartment. 
     
     
         4 . Device according to  claim 3 , characterized in that said intake duct and said outlet duct are respectively capable of being connected to an outlet and to an intake of said first storage enclosure. 
     
     
         5 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the reactor compartment and/or the evaporator compartment include(s) means capable of activating the circulation of the airflow passing through said compartments. 
     
     
         6 . Device according to  claim 1  ,characterized in that the switching means comprises valves. 
     
     
         7 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the reactor compartment includes an intake valve and an outlet valve, each of which is capable of holding an open position in which the reactor compartment is in communication with the exterior, and a closed position in which it is isolated from the exterior, and the evaporator compartment includes an intake valve and an outlet valve, each of which is capable of holding an open position in which the evaporator compartment is in communication with the exterior and a closed position in which it is isolated from the exterior. 
     
     
         8 . Device according to  claim 7 , characterized in that it comprises two reversing valves, namely an intake valve and an outlet valve that are capable of holding three positions, namely:
 a first position in which they respectively place the intake and outlet of the evaporator compartment in communication with the enclosure,   a second position in which they respectively place the intake and outlet of the reactor compartment in communication with the enclosure,   a third position in which they are in a middle position and respectively place the intake and outlet of the reactor compartment and of the evaporator compartment in communication with the enclosure.   
     
     
         9 . Device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that said reactor compartment is formed in such a way as to be placed in communication with said first enclosure and in that, simultaneously, said evaporator compartment is formed in such a way as to be placed in communication with a second enclosure.   
     
     
         10 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least a first enclosure upon which said housing is mounted. 
     
     
         11 . Device according to  claim 10 , characterized in that said housing is mounted at the upper part of said first storage enclosure. 
     
     
         12 . Device according to  claim 10 , characterized in that it includes a second storage enclosure, in that said reactor compartment is placed in communication with said first enclosure and, simultaneously, in that said evaporator compartment is placed in communication with said second enclosure.