[0001] The present invention concerns a passive device for separating and cooling an air stream in a cold air stream and/or a hot air stream.

[0002] It is well known that numerous technical applications require devices able to generate a stream of hot or cold air, for the heating or cooling needs of components, of environments, for obtaining chemical reactions, etc.

[0003] Often, active devices are used, meaning devices that use energy to operate on the inflowing air stream (generally at room temperature) , and obtain a higher- temperature air stream (hot air) and/or a lower- temperature air stream.

[0004] Devices do however exist able to separate an air stream into a cold air stream and/or a hot air stream, by exploiting particular geometries of the inner chambers, without the contribution of energy from outside. Such devices are known as "passive devices".

[0005] An example of manufacture of such devices is described in the documents MI2006A001472, RU2042089 and

US6,250,08β.

[0006] Nevertheless, the solutions known today are not able to satisfy the need to obtain a cold air stream at a considerably lower temperature with respect to the temperature of the inflowing air.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to manufacture a passive device for separating an inflowing air stream into a cold air stream and/or a hot air stream, with considerable thermal gradient. [0008] This object is achieved by a device made in agreement with the claim 1. The claims dependent on this describe embodiment variations. [0009] The characteristics and the advantages of the device according to the present invention will be clearer from the description provided below by way of example only, in agreement with the attached illustrations, wherein: [0010] - the figure 1 represents an axonometric view of the devices in accordance with the present invention;

[0011] - the figure 2 shows an axonometric partially section view of the device in the figure 1; [0012] - the figure 3 shows a further axonometric partially section view of the device in the figure 1; [0013] - the figure 4 shows a further axonometric partially section view of the device in the figure 1; and [0014] - the figure 5 shows an axonometric separate-part view of the device in the figure 1. [0015] With reference to the attached figures, by 1 has been generally indicated a separation and passive cooling device, according to an embodiment of the present invention .

[0016] The device 1 comprises an input pipe 6 for the inflow of an air stream under pressure. [0017] The device 1 further comprises an output pipe for cold air 8, for the output of a stream of cold air, meaning air at a temperature below that of the inflowing air stream. [0018] Furthermore, the device 1 comprises an intermediate hot air output pipe 2, for the output of a stream of intermediate hot air, and a final hot air output pipe 4, for the output of a stream of final hot air. [0019] Furthermore, the device 1 has, internally, a first separation chamber 10, into which leads the input pipe 6 and from which branches the intermediate hot air output pipe 2 and a further passage 12.

[0020] The separation chamber 10 has a lateral wall 10a shaped like a spiral, e.g., with axial direction coinciding with the direction of output of the intermediate hot air 2.

[0021] In particular, the pattern of the lateral wall 10a is such that the direction of the inflowing air, meaning the direction of the axis of the input pipe 6, is tangent to the initial section of the wall; said wall, proceeding in the direction of air input, evolves like a spiral to again connect with the input pipe 6.

[0022] In other words, the air input pipe 6 is coplanar to the intermediate chamber 10, i.e., with the curve defining the spiral wall 10a. The intermediate hot air output pipe 2, on the other hand, is perpendicular with the intermediate chamber 10 and perpendicular with the air input pipe 6.

[0023] Preferably, furthermore, the lateral wall 10a extends in an axial direction in a convergent way towards the passage opening 12.

[0024] In particular, preferably, the intermediate hot air output pipe 2 is aligned with the passage 12. [0025] Preferably, furthermore, the internal surface of the wall 10a, lapped during normal operation by the stream of air, is polished, e.g., like a mirror.

[0026] By virtue of the geometry of the intermediate chamber 10 and of the collocation of the lights of the intermediate hot air output pipe 2 and of the passage 12, in the intermediate hot air output pipe 2, an intermediate hot air stream is channelled which has a temperature above that of the inflowing air stream, while in the passage 12, an intermediate cold air stream is channelled, which has a temperature below that of the inflowing air stream. [0027] The device 1 also has, internally, a final separation chamber 14, into which leads the passage 12 and from which branch the final hot air output pipe 4 and the cold air output pipe 8.

[0028] In particular, the final hot air output pipe 4 and the cold air output pipe 8 are aligned; the passage 12 is perpendicular to these.

[0029] In particular, the device 1 has an accommodating compartment and comprises a rotating insert 16. [0030] The rotating insert has an extension prevalently along an insert axis Z and comprises a head 18 and a tail 20.

[0031] The head and the tail are hollow inside, thus defining an insert pipe 22 in communication with the cold air output pipe 8. [0032] Preferably, the insert 16 is positioned so as to be aligned with the insert axis Z with the cold air output pipe 8 and with the final hot air output pipe 4. [0033] In particular, the head 18 is accommodated in the accommodating compartment, so the room remaining in the compartment defines the final separation chamber 14.

[0034] The head 18 of the insert 16 has a head surface 30 substantially perpendicular to the insert axis Z . [0035] On the head surface 30 are obtained a plurality of slits 32 angled with respect to the tangential direction, in agreement with one another, so as to produce a turbine effect .

[0036] In particular, the head 30 comprises a plurality of paddles 34 arranged in circumferential succession, protruding axially from the head surface 30, separated the one from the other circumferentially by said slits 32.

[0037] On the surface of the head 30 also opens, preferably in central position, the insert pipe 22 which, on the other hand, emerges towards the cold air output pipe 8. [0038] The head 18 of the insert 16 is stopped up against the wall surrounding the opening of the final hot air output pipe 4.

[0039] The intermediate cold air stream that reaches the head 18 from the passage 12 passes through the slits 32 and starts the rotation of the insert 16.

[0040] By virtue of the head geometry, the collocation of the pipe lights and the rotation of the insert, in the cold air outlet pipe 8 a cold air stream is channelled with a temperature below that of the intermediate air stream, while in the final hot air stream, a hot air stream is channelled with a temperature higher than that of the intermediate air stream.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment, the device 1 comprises : [0042] - a cover body 100, made up of a plate from which protrudes the intermediate hot air outlet pipe 2;

[0043]- a first body 200, wherein is obtained the compartment for the realisation of the first separation chamber 10, the passage 12 and the housing compartment for the head 18 of the insert 16, and from which protrude the air inlet pipe 6 and the final hot air outlet pipe 4;

[0044] - the insert 16;

[0045] - a second body 300, with a cylindrical seat for accommodating the tail 20 of the insert 16 and comprising the cold air outlet pipe 8.

[0046] Preferably, the above components are made of plastic material, e.g., by means of moulding or injection moulding.

[0047] The cover body 100 is coupled with the first body 200 on the side of the first separation chamber 10, so as to delimit this.

[0048] The head 18 of the insert 16 is housed in the housing compartment of the first body 200.

[0049] The second body 300 is coupled with the first body 200, on the side of the housing compartment, so the tail

20 of the insert 16 is housed in the seat of the second body.

[0050] Innovatively, the separation and refrigeration device described above allows obtaining a considerable temperature gradient between the inflowing stream of air and the outflowing stream of cold air.

[0051] Advantageously, furthermore, the structure of the device is particularly compact and therefore easy to use even in systems of reduced dimensions. [0052] According to a further advantageous aspect, the device can be economically made, being made up of simple- geometry pieces, assembled together.

[0053] Advantageously, furthermore, the device is of reduced dimensions and makes up, when assembled, a transportable whole.

[0054] According to an example of application, the device described above is used together with a fuel cell. [0055] A fuel cell is an electro-chemical device which allows obtaining electricity directly from certain substances, typically hydrogen and oxygen, without a heat combustion process occurring. The difference in potential stems from the flow of electrons produced during the chemical reaction. [0056] The device cools the cell down to maintain a high level of efficiency.

[0057] It is clear that a technician in the field, in order to cater for contingent requirements, could make changes to the device and to the apparatus described above, all of which contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.