WO2012127508A1

WO2012127508A1 - Radiator element, radiator and method of realisation thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2012127508A1
Application number: PCT/IT2011/000076
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giorgio LANCINI
Original assignee: Lancini Giorgio
Priority date: 2011-03-18
Filing date: 2011-03-18
Publication date: 2012-09-27

Abstract

A radiator element (4) comprising at least one core (8) traversed by a radiant liquid, made in a first material having a first heat transfer coefficient. The radiator element (4) further comprises a pair of cheek facings (40) at least partially joined to said core (8), the cheek facings (40) being made in a second material having a second heat transfer coefficient greater or the same as the first heat transfer coefficient of the core (8). The cheek facings (40) are joined to the core (8) so as to face it, and are pressed in direct contact with the core (8) so that the same is compressed between the cheek facings (40). The coupling between the cheek facings (40) and the core (8) ensures continuous contact between the parts and allows relative sliding between the parts caused by the different heat distortions of these.

Description

DESCRIPTION

"RADIATOR ELEMENT , RADIATOR AND METHOD OF REALISATION

THEREOF"

[0001] The present invention relates to a radiator element, suitable for being assembled in a bank, a radiator and method of realisation thereof.

[0002] In the radiator sector it is known of to make radiators in various materials, such as for example in steel or aluminium. Steel is preferred to aluminium above all in applications wherein high-pressure fluid, up to several dozen bar, is made to circulate inside the radiators, inasmuch as having a higher mechanical resistance to aluminium. However, the use of steel determines a significant increase in the weight of the radiator, as well as reducing the energy output of the same in that steel has a lower heat transfer coefficient than aluminium.

[0003] For this reason, solutions are known of in the art wherein a steel core of considerable thickness is first

. made to prevent crushing of the hollow tube during the- casting phase, inside which the heat transfer fluid flows, typically pressurised oil or water. It is also known of to make a closed radiator bank fitted with an electric resistor, in the manner of an entirely electric

- and independent heater., [0004] Subsequently a ^' casting of aluminium is made directly onto the core which is thus completely embedded in the aluminium with subsequent dismantling., being impossible .

[0005] Such solution however has several disadvantages. In fact, the manufacturing precision achievable using such procedure is rather limited and entails elevated production discards: even small burrs or flaws on visible parts of the radiator are in fact not accepted by users inasmuch as radiators are increasingly considered as decor elements.

[0006] Any mechanical finishing carried out a posteriori on the radiator elements, subsequent to casting, is extremely expensive: so that pieces with evident defects are simply discarded.

[0007] It is also known of to make cores in steel and to apply to these cover panels so as to cover any imperfections or even to modify the appearance of the radiator increasingly considered an interior design element.

[0008] These solutions derive from purely aesthetic considerations and do not guarantee a high heat transfer output or in any case, permit a heat transfer output inferior to that which would be obtained by a casting of molten aluminium onto the steel cores. [0009] The purpose of the present invention is to resolve the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art.

[0010] Such drawbacks are resolved by a radiator element according to claim 1.

[0011] Other embodiments of the present invention are described in the subsequent claims.

[0012] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be clearer from the description given below of a preferred embodiment, made by way of a non-limiting example, wherein:

[0013] figures 1-2 show perspective views, respectively in an assembled configuration and in separate parts, of a radiator element according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] figures 3-4 show perspective views, respectively in an assembled configuration and in separate parts, of a radiator element according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] figure 5 shows a side view of the element in figure 3, from the side shown by the arrow V in figure 3;

[0016] figure 6 shows a cross-section view of the element in figure 3, along the section plane VI-VI in figure 5;

[0017] figure 7 shows a cross-section view of the element in figure 3, along the section plane VII-VII in figure 3;

[0018] figure 8 shows a cross-section view of the element in figure 3, along the section plane VIII-VII in figure 5;

[0019] figures 9-10 show perspective views, respectively in' an assembled configuration and in separate parts, of a radiator element according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] figures 11-12 show perspective views, respectively in an assembled configuration and in separate parts, of a radiator element according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] figures 13-14 show perspective views, respectively in an assembled configuration and in separate parts, of a radiator element according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] figures 15-16 show perspective views, respectively in an assembled configuration and in separate parts, of a radiator element according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] figures 17-19 show perspective views of banks of radiator elements according to the present invention.

[0024] With reference to the aforesaid drawings, reference numeral 4 globally denotes a radiator element for heating. In the appended drawings, various embodiments of said radiator element are shown: such forms ^: should be considered as explanatory but: not exhaustive of all the possible embodiments of the present invention. In addition, in the drawings, radiator elements positioned in a vertical configuration against the wall are always shown: such configuration should not be considered restrictive; in other words the present invention also applies to radiator elements of any type and positioned in any configuration.

[0025] The radiator element 4 comprises at least one core 8 having a cavity 12 suitable to be traversed by a radiant liquid, such as water or oil; radiant liquid is taken to mean any liquid, typically, but not solely, water or oil, suitable to be heated to enable heat transfer with the environment in which the radiator element is placed.

[0026] he core 8 has at least one entrance 16, to allow the input of liquid into the core 8 and at least one exit 20 to enable the expulsion of the liquid from the core 8. A bank composed of various elements with a liquid running inside it, typically a diathermic oil and a resistor heating such liquid, may also be realised.

[0027] The indication of entry and exit 16, 20 in the drawings is purely indicative inasmuch as depending on the type of connection to^' the system to which the radiator element is connected. The presence of an entrance and an exit is substantially so as to allow the core to be traversed by a flow of radiant liquid so as to enable heat transfer between the surfaces of the radiator element and the outside environment.

[ 0028] According to one embodiment the core 8 comprises a tubular body 24 which extends from a first to a second axial end 26,28, in a longitudinal direction Y-Y, at said axial ends 26,28 the tubular body 24 comprising connection sleeves 32, suitable to permit fluidic connection with adjacent radiator elements 4.

[0029] The tubular body 24 has a circular cross-section, that is it is a cylindrical body obtained from a circular section pipe. Such indications should not be considered as restrictive; the tubular body may have different cross-sections such as quadrangular, square or oval cross-sections.

[0030] The connection sleeves 32 are perpendicular to the tubular body 24, t hat is directed in a transversal direction X-X, perpendicular to said longitudinal direction Y-Y.

[0031 ] The connection sleeves preferably have a circular cross-section, that is are cylindrical elements with a circular cross-section. Such circular geometry, as in the case of the tubular body 24, should, not be considered in a restrictive manner, but may be modified depending on specific requirements.

[0032 ] The core is made in a first material having a first heat transfer coefficient; typically the core is made in steel. ^"

[0033] Such material guarantees in fact elevated mechanical resistance even in applications where the internal pressure of the liquid reaches high vales, up to several dozen bar. Obviously, steel is not the only material which may be used; further materials may be used to make the core 8 according to the present invention.

[0034 ] Advantageously, the radiator element 4 comprises a pair of cheek facings 40 at least partially joined to said core 8, the cheek facings 40 being made in a second material having a second heat transfer coefficient greater or the same as the first heat transfer coefficient of the core 8. Preferably, as will be repeated below, such material of the cheek facings 40 is die-cast aluminium or its alloy; obviously different materials may also be used, as in the case of the core 8.

[0035] The cheek facings 40 are joined to the core 8 so as to face it, and in particular are pressed in direct contact with the core 8 so that it is compressed between the cheek facings 40.

[0036] Advantageously, the coupling between the cheek facings 40 and the core 8 ensures continuous contact between the parts and allows relative sliding between the parts due to different heat distortion.

[0037] In other words, the cheek facings 40 are fixed onto the core 8 so as to ensure constant contact between the facings in all the functioning conditions of the radiator 4. Such direct and continuous contact ensures heat transfer between the core 8 and the cheek facings 40 at all times so that these may diffuse heat into the outside environment. In particular, on account of the heating caused by the passage of heat inside the core, both the core 8 and the cheek facings 40 tend to distort and dilate. Such distortions and dilations differ in that the geometry and the materials composing the cores 8 and the cheek facings 40 are different. The coupling between the core and the relative cheek facings while guaranteeing continuous contact of the parts, also permits sliding of the same to allow the different heat dilation caused by the different materials and geometry.

[0038] Preferably, the cheek facings 40 are at least partially counter-shaped to the core 8 so as to face it while remaining in direct contact with the entire outer lateral surface of said core. [0039] For example, if the core 8 has a cylindrical tubular body 24, the cheek facings 40 comprise a semi- cylindrical casing portion so as to each cover half of the outer lateral wall of the tubular body 24 of the core 8.

[0040] According to one possible embodiment, the cheek facings 40 comprise attachment plates 44 suitable to permit reciprocal attachment around the core 8, said attachment plates 44 housing reciprocal attachment means 48 of the cheek facings 40.

[0041] For example, said attachment means 48 comprise rivets, screws and/or bolts. Preferably, by means of relative attachment holes 52 made on the attachment plates 48, the attachment means traverse said attachment plates without intercepting the tubular body 24 which can thus slide in relation to the . facings after overcoming the forces of contact friction between the facings and the cores.

[0042] According to one embodiment the attachment plates 44 of the cheek facings 40 are positioned along a transversal contact plane T, parallel to the transversal extension direction X-X of the connection sleeves 32.

[0043] According to a further embodiment, the attachment plates 44 of the cheek facings 40 are positioned along a longitudinal contact plane L, perpendicular to the transversal extension direction X-X of the connection sleeves 32.

[0044] According to one embodiment variation, the cheek facings 40 are counter-shaped both to the tubular body 24 of the cores 8 and in relation to the connection sleeves 32 so as to face both the tubular body 24 and> at least partially, the sleeves.

[0045] The cheek facings 40 may be fitted with heat transfer fins 56 so as to facilitate heat transfer with the environment.

[0046] According to one possible embodiment, a cover panel 60 is joined to at least one cheek facing so as to conceal both the cheek facing 40 and the core 8. For example, at least one cheek facing 40 may be made in the form of a single bulkhead joined to the corresponding cheek facing 40 and subsequently covered by a cover panel (figures 9,10,11,12,13,14).

[0047] For example, the panel cover 60 is slot or snap- attached to the relative cheek facing 40.

[0048] According to further embodiments, the cover panel 60 is made in one piece with the cheek facing 40 (figures 1-8) .

[0049] The cover panels may comprise grilles 61 for the passage of heat from the cheek facings 40 towards the outside environment. The grilles 61 may even be applied or moulded directly onto the cheek facings 40 without the interposition of cover panels 60.

[0050] A plurality of radiator elements 4 may be assembled in a bank to form a radiator 64.

[0051] In such banks the cores 8 of adjacent radiator elements 4 are fluidically connected to each other for example by means of interposed bushes (not shown) ; alternatively the cores of adjacent elements may be welded together directly. In particular, such bushes are screwed inside dedicated threads made inside the connection sleeves 32.

[0052] The method of realisation and assembly of. a radiator element and of relative radiator according to the present invention will now be described.

[0053] In particular, initially at least two cores 8 are prepared and placed alongside each other so as to fluidically connect them, for example by means of interposing relative connection bushes or the cores may be welded together directly. Preferably, the cores are obtained by cutting a tubular bar into pieces and subsequent welding; in other words starting from a bar for example in steel, the pieces relative to the tubular body 24 and connection sleeves 32 are cut and welded to each other to obtain the overall core 8.^'

[0054] The cheek facings 40, preferably made by die- casting aluminium or an aluminium alloy, are . then predisposed.

[0055] Then, at least two pairs of cheek facings 40 are placed alongside each other so as to join them, on opposite sides, to the pre-assembled cores by means of the relative . bushes .

[0056] he pairs of cheek facings 40 are then tightened together onto the cores 8 so as to entirely face them; in particular the attachment plates 44 are made to coincide and the cheek facings 40 tightened to each other by means of the attachment devices 48: the cores thereby being compressed between the respective cheek facings 40.

[0057] The bank of radiator elements 4 is thus ready for connection to a relative water supply.

[0058] If separate cover panels 60 are foreseen, these may be joined to the front of the radiator 74 even after relative connection to the water supply.

[0059] As may be appreciated from the description, the present invention makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks presented in the solutions of the prior art. ^■

[0060] In particular, the radiator has a heat transfer output comparable to that of the prior solutions comprising a core in steel embedded in a casting of aluminium. [0061] Output is extremely high given that there is complete . adhesion between the core and the cheek comparable to that achievable in the solution of aluminium casting.

[0062] Such complete adhesion is ensured in all functioning conditions of the radiator, that is even when, on account of the heating, the cores and cheeks tend to have different heat distortion since made from materials having different heat dilation coefficients.

[0063] Advantageously, the cheek facings are attached onto the core according to a sandwich structure so as to compress said core between them: this way the heat output of the radiator improves considerably as contact between the surfaces of the core and the surfaces of the cheek facings is always ensured.

[0064] he solution according to the present invention ensures low production costs and practically zero production waste: in fact any imperfections in the realisation of the core are concealed by the cheek facings. The cheek facings are rather obtained with extreme precision for example by means of the die- casting technique and may be directly painted or covered with the relative cover panels and any discards immediately re-melted without cost. In addition, compared to the solutions involving a casting of aluminium over the steel core, they also ensure _ra reduction in weight of the radiator element, since the quantity of aluminium or alloy used to cover the cores is less than that which would be used to perform a casting of material. A person skilled in the art may make numerous modifications and variations to the radiator solutions and relative methods of realisation described above so as to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, all contained within the sphere of protection as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Radiator element (4) for heating, comprising

- at least one core (8) having a cavity (12) suitable to be traversed by a radiant liquid, such as water or oil,

- the core (8) being made in a first material having a first heat transfer coefficient,

characterised by the fact that

the radiator element (4) comprises

- a pair of cheek facings (40) at least partially joined to said core (8), the cheek facings (40) being made in a second material having a second heat transfer coefficient greater or the same as the first heat transfer coefficient of the core (8),

- the cheek facings (40) are joined to the core (8) so as to face it, said cheek facings (40) being pressed in direct contact with the core (8) so that the same is compressed between said cheek facings (40) ,

- wherein the coupling between the cheek facings (40) and the core (8) ensures continuous contact between the parts and allows relative sliding between the parts caused by the different heat distortions of these.

2. Radiator element (4) according to claim 1, wherein said cheek facings (40) are at least partially counter- shaped to the core (8) so as to face it while remaining in direct^' contact with the entire outer lateral surface of said core ( 8 ) .

3. Radiator element (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cheek facings (40) comprise attachment plates (44) suitable to permit reciprocal attachment around the core (8), said attachment plates (44) housing reciprocal attachment means (48) of the cheek facings (40) .

4. Radiator element (4) according to claim 3, wherein said attachment means (48) comprise rivets, screws and/or bolts.

5. Radiator element (4) according to any of the claims from 1 to 4, wherein the cheek facings (40) are fitted with heat transfer fins (56) so as to facilitate heat transfer with the environment.

6. Radiator element (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein a cover panel (60) is joined to at least one cheek facing (40) so as to conceal both the cheek facing (40) and the core (8) .

7. Radiator element (4) according to claim 6, wherein said cover panel (60) is made in one piece with the cheek facing (40) .

8. Radiator element (4) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said panel cover (60) is slot or snap-attached to the relative cheek facing (40) .

9. Radiator element (4) according to any of^' the previous claims, wherein the core (8) comprises a tubular body (24) which extends from a first to, a second axial end (26, 28), the tubular body (24) comprising connection sleeves (32), at said axial ends (26,28) suitable to permit fluidic connection with adjacent radiator elements (4) .

10. Radiator element (4) according to claim 9, wherein the connection sleeves (32) are perpendicular to the tubular body (24) .

11. Radiator element (4) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the cheek facings (40) are counter-shaped to the tubular body (24) and to the connection sleeves (32) so as to face both the tubular body (24) and, at least partially, the connection sleeves (32) .

12. Radiator element (4) according to any of the claims from 3 to 11, wherein the attachment plates (44) of the cheek facings (40) are positioned along a transversal contact plane (T) , parallel to the transversal extension direction (X-X) of the connection sleeves (32) .

13. Radiator element (4) according to any of the claims from 3 to 11, wherein the attachment plates (44) of the cheek facings (40) are positioned along a longitudinal contact plane (L) , perpendicular to the transversal extension direction (X-X) of the connection sleeves (32) .

14. Radiator element (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the core (8) is made in steel and the cheek facings (40) are made in die-cast aluminium or in a die-cast aluminium alloy.

15. Radiator element (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the core (8) comprises at least one entrance (16) , to allow the input of liquid into the core (8) and at least one exit (20) to enable the expulsion of the liquid from the core (8) .

16. Radiator (64) comprising at least one bank of radiator elements (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the cores (8) of adjacent radiator elements (4) are fluidically connected to each other by means of interposed bushes or by means of welding.

17. Radiator (64) according to claim 16, comprising a bank composed of various elements with a liquid inside them, such as for example a diathermic oil, and a resistor which heats said liquid.

18. Assembly method of a bank of radiator elements according to any of the previous claims, comprising the steps of :

- preparing and placing alongside each other at least two cores (8), so as to fluidically connect them to each other, by means of interposing relative connection bushes or by means of welding,

- predisposing and placing alongside each other at least two pairs of cheek facings (40) so as to join them, on opposite sides, to the pre-assembled cores (8) ,

- tightening together the pairs of cheek facings (40) onto the cores (8) so as to entirely cover them and tightening to each other said cheek facings (40) so as to compress the cores (8) positioned between them.

19. Method according to claim 18, wherein the cores (8) are obtained by cutting steel tubes and the cheek facings (40) are obtained by die-casting aluminium or an aluminium alloy.