WO2013124834A1

WO2013124834A1 - Radiator element for heating

Info

Publication number: WO2013124834A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/051517
Authority: WO
Inventors: Orlando NIBOLI; Maurizio BOLOGNA; Fabio Sassi
Original assignee: Fondital S.P.A.
Priority date: 2012-02-24
Filing date: 2013-02-25
Publication date: 2013-08-29
Also published as: ITMI20120280A1

Abstract

A radiator element (1) for heating, in particular made of diecasted aluminum, extends along a longitudinal axis (A) and comprises a substantially tubular body (2), at least one baffle plate (3) that projects from the body (2) and is positioned along a middle plane (P) of the element (1), and a plurality of heat exchange fins (4) that project from the baffle plate (3); the baffle plate (3) has differentiated thickness, including zones (30) having different thicknesses, the thickness of the baffle plate (3) changes in longitudinal direction, i.e. in a direction parallel to the axis (A), and/or in transverse direction, i.e. along axes perpendicular to the axis (A) and lying on the plane (P).

Description

"RADIATOR ELEMENT FOR HEATING"

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a radiator element for heating, in particular made of die-casted aluminum.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a radiator for the heating of buildings is composed by a battery of side by side radiator elements, usually (although not necessarily) made separately and then assembled together to form a radiator of suitable dimensions. Typically, each radiator element has an essentially tubular main body provided with an internal chamber wherein a hot fluid (commonly, water) circulates. Today radiators made of die-casted aluminum are particularly common (wherein the radiator element is constituted by a monolithic body made of aluminum or aluminum alloy produced by die-casting process) . In the specific field of radiator elements made of die-casted aluminum, the general configuration of the single radiator element appears substantially consolidated and essentially consists of a tubular body, provided with the internal water chamber and hydraulic connections positioned at the opposite ends of the element; from the water chamber, along a middle plane of the element, branch off two opposing aluminum baffle plates that support respectively a front plate and a rear plate; a plurality of heat exchange fins project from the tubular body.

Although it is common opinion in the field that the radiator elements in general, and those made of die-casted aluminum in particular, have now reached fully satisfactory performance limits and are essentially no longer improvable, it would be desirable to have radiator elements with even greater performance, in particular increasing the specific power per unit weight (which is the basic parameter for the evaluation of the performance of a radiator element) .

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiator element for heating, in particular made of die-casted aluminum, particularly effective in terms of thermal performance, which results, if possible, higher than that of a traditional radiator element of comparable size and weight. The present invention therefore relates to a radiator element for heating, in particular made of die-casted aluminum, as essentially defined in the appended claim 1 and, for its preferred aspects, in the dependent claims. The radiator element of the invention has, compared to known radiator elements, much higher performance, at equal dimensions and size, and specifically a higher specific power.

The performance improvement is attained by way of a particular conformation of the baffle plates, i.e. the components of the radiator element that project directly from the water chamber and support at least a part of the heat exchange fins.

In fact it has been found that a very high percentage of the thermal power which is transmitted by the water chamber is transferred by way of the baffle plates.

However, the heat exchange surfaces that a baffle plate must serve (i.e. the surfaces to which the baffle plate has to transmit the heat taken from the water chamber, essentially constituted by the fins which project from the baffle plate) do not all have the same exchangeable power. The surfaces that the baffle plate must serve instead have an exchange power proportional to the difference between the average temperature of the surface and the local air temperature. The invention therefore envisages to increase the performance of the radiator element by increasing the thickness of the baffle plate in the zones which transfer heat from the water chamber towards the surfaces with high heat exchange efficiency, and by decreasing the thickness of the baffle plate in the zones which transfer heat from the water chamber towards the surfaces with low (or lower) heat exchange efficiency . In this way, significant advantages in terms of heat exchange performance and efficiency and an accurate temperature control of the various heat exchange surfaces, as well as saving in terms of raw material used for the realization of the baffle plate are achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be clarified by the following non- limiting embodiments, with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a radiator element for heating, in particular made of die-casted aluminum, in accordance with the invention;

- Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the radiator element of figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the plane III-III in Figure 2 ;

- Figure 4 is an enlarged-scale view of the detail shown in Figure 3 ;

Figures 5 and 6 are schematic side views of further embodiments of the radiator element in accordance with the invention .

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures 1 to 3 , a radiator element 1 for heating, for example (but not necessarily) made of aluminum (meaning by this term also aluminum alloys) by way of die- casting process, comprises a substantially tubular body 2, a baffle plate 3 that projects from the body 2 and is positioned along a middle plane P of the element 1; and a plurality of heat exchange fins 4 that project from the baffle plate 3 and, optionally, also from the body 2 and are substantially perpendicular to the baffle plate 3 and therefore to the plane P.

The element 1 and the body 2 extend substantially along a longitudinal axis A (in use, substantially vertically) between two axially opposite ends 5, 6 which are, in use, respectively a lower end and an upper end; the body 2 is provided with an internal water chamber 7 for the passage of water, radially delimited by a side wall 8 positioned around the axis A and closed axially at respective opposite longitudinal ends.

The ends 5, 6 of the element 1 are provided with respective pairs of connections 9 that project from opposite sides of the body 2 to connect the element 1 to other similar elements and/or to an external hydraulic system; the connections 9 are shaped for example (but not necessarily) as cylindrical sleeves having a circular cross section and are internally provided with transverse through ducts communicating with the water chamber 7. The baffle plate 3 is defined by a substantially flat plate 10 and has a pair of opposite lateral faces 11. The baffle plate 3 projects generally from the wall 8 of the body 2, substantially along the plane P; in the non- limiting example shown in Figures 1-2, the baffle plate 3 comprises a pair of portions 13, that diametrically project opposite from wall 8 along the plane P and are defined by respective flat portions of the plate 10, substantially aligned.

The baffle plate 3 is joined to the wall 8 along at least one root longitudinal edge 14, substantially parallel to the axis A, and has at least an opposite longitudinal end edge 15, also substantially parallel to the axis A. The baffle plate 3 is substantially orthogonal to the wall 8 along the root longitudinal edge 14. In the example shown in Figures 1-2, the portions 13 are joined to the wall along respective longitudinal root edges 14, parallel to the axis A, and are substantially orthogonal to the wall 8 along the respective longitudinal root edges 14. The portions 13 have respective longitudinal ends edges 15, opposite to the longitudinal root edges 14 and substantially parallel thereto and to the axis A.

The heat exchange fins 4 project from opposite sides of the element 1 and are positioned on the baffle plate 3, preferably on each portion 13 of the baffle plate 3; the fins 4 project directly from the faces 11 of the baffle plate 3.

Optionally, other fins 20 project instead directly from the wall 8 of the body 2 which delimits the water chamber 7 and/or directly contact the wall 8.

The fins 4 that project directly from the baffle plate 3 (so- called "dry fins", as they do not directly contact the wall 8 that delimits the water chamber 7) , are in general substantially perpendicular to the baffle plate 3 (and therefore to the face 11 of the baffle plate 3 from which they project) and to the plane P; the fins 4 project from the faces 11 on opposite sides of the baffle plate 3 and precisely of each portion 13.

The fins 4 comprise lateral fins 4A, that project from the central portions of the faces 11 in an intermediate position between the longitudinal root edges 14 and the longitudinal end edges 15, and terminal fins 4B, positioned on the longitudinal end edges 15 of the portions 13 and that define respectively a front plate 21 and a rear plate 22, substantially perpendicular to the baffle plate 3, optionally formed by several sectors or plate portions longitudinally separated by cuts and/or openings . Advantageously, but not necessarily, the lateral fins 4A are organized in rows 23 parallel to one another and to the axis A, i.e. more fins 4A are aligned in a row 23. Rows 23 of fins 4A project along respective axes parallel to the axis A; the fins 4A of each row 23 are separated and spaced by respective grooves 24. The fins 4A of adjacent rows 23 may be staggered or aligned, possibly only in part.

With reference also to Figure 4, the baffle plate 3, and in particular at least one of its portions 13 and preferably each of its portions 13, has a thickness (measured between the opposing faces 11 of the baffle plate 3, perpendicularly to the faces 11) differentiated, i.e. the baffle plate 3 comprises zones 30 having different thicknesses. The thickness of the baffle plate 3 (and precisely of each portion 13) changes in longitudinal direction, i.e. in a direction parallel to the axis A, and/or in transverse direction, i.e. along axes perpendicular to the axis A and lying on the plane P.

In general, the baffle plate 3 (at least one of its portions 13, preferably each of its portions 13) comprises first zones 3OA, having a first thickness (greater) and second zones 3OB having a second thickness (lesser) , lower than the first thickness.

Indicatively, but not necessarily, the difference in thickness between the first zones and the second zones is for example greater than or equal to 0.4 mm (unless the usual machining tolerances) ; the difference between the first thickness and the second thickness is in other words greater than or equal to 0.4 mm (unless the usual machining tolerances) .

In particular, the baffle plate 3 has at least two groups of zones 30A, 30B which alternate longitudinally, i.e. parallel to the axis A, and/or transversely, i.e. in a direction orthogonal to the axis A, and have respective different thicknesses; in other words; zones 30A having a first thickness (greater) alternate in the longitudinal direction

(along the axis A or parallel to the axis A) and/or transversely (along axes perpendicular to the axis A and lying on the plane P) with zones 3OB having a second thickness

(lesser), less than the first thickness.

In the example of Figures 3-4, the zones 3OA having the greater thickness are in particular transverse zones of the baffle plate 3 that support at least some of the lateral fins 4A, i.e. the zones of the baffle plate 3 which connect the wall 8 to the fins 4A in the transverse direction; the zones 3OB having a lesser thickness are the zones of the baffle plate 3 which are devoid of side fins 4A and support optionally only the terminals fins 4B. More generally, but always by way of example, the first zones 3OA (having greater thickness) support a number of fins 4 greater than the second zones 30B (having a lesser thickness) .

In accordance with the invention, therefore, at least some dry fins 4, i.e. directly supported by the baffle plate 3 and not directly contacting the wall 8 delimiting the water chamber 7, are connected to the side wall 8 that delimits the water chamber 7 from respective transverse zones 3OA of the baffle plate 3 having greater thickness than other zones 30B of the baffle plate 3 (having a lesser thickness) .

With "transverse zone" is meant a strip or band of the baffle plate 3 that projects in the transverse direction, i.e. perpendicular to the axis A and the edges of the baffle plate, for a certain height (parallel to the axis A) .

Those zones with greater thickness are therefore in particular the transverse zones of the baffle plate 3 which connect the root longitudinal edge 14 of the baffle plate 3 to at least some dry fins 4 (lateral fins placed between the edges 14, 15 of the baffle plate and not on one of the edges 14, 15, and that do not directly contact the wall 8 delimiting the water chamber 7) .

The transverse zones of the baffle plate 3 which connect the dry fins 4 with the longitudinal end edge 15 may have the first thickness (greater) or the second thickness (lesser) , possibly depending on the longitudinal position.

The zones having a lesser thickness are for example those which connect the longitudinal root edge 14 to the longitudinal end edge 15 without supporting dry fins 4, and/or which connect some dry fins 4 to the longitudinal end edge 15.

Each of the zones 3OA having greater thickness may project in the longitudinal direction (parallel to the axis A) for the entire height (measured parallel to the axis A) of the dry fins 4, i.e. have the same height (parallel to the axis A) of the fin 4 that the zone 30A connects to the wall 8, or have a height (parallel to the axis A) less than the height of the corresponding fin 4. In this latter case, advantageously, the zone 3OA having greater thickness is positioned on the lower part of the fin 4.

In the embodiment of Figures 3-4, the baffle plate 3 has a succession of first zones 30A, having greater thickness, and second zones 30B, having lesser thickness; the first zones 3OA are alternated several times in the longitudinal direction with the second zones 3OB. „

Also, optionally, the thickness of the baffle plate 3 increases along the axis A from the bottom upwards; in particular, the thickness of the baffle plate 3 grows progressively from the lower end 5 towards the upper end 6.

The baffle plate 3 may also comprise more than two groups of zones 30 having different thicknesses, variously organized and positioned on the plane P; each zone may have constant or variable thickness, for example in the longitudinal direction (parallel to the axis A) , remaining in general different from the thickness of other zones.

Different spatial arrangements of the zones 30 on the plane P are then possible.

Examples of arrangements of two groups of zones 30 having different thicknesses (and optionally variables parallel to the axis A) are shown in Figures 5 and 6, wherein any details similar or identical to those already described are indicated with the same reference numbers .

The zones 3 OA, 30B of the baffle plate 3 having different thicknesses are graphically highlighted with a different color; the zones 3OA have greater thickness than the zones 30B; optionally, the zones 3OA and/or 30B also have variable thickness, for example in the longitudinal direction (parallel to the axis A) , remaining in general the thickness of the zones 3OA greater than the thickness of the zones 30B. It is however understood that to the radiator element here described and shown further modifications and variations that do not depart from the scope of the appended claims may be made .

Claims

1. A radiator element (1) for heating, in particular made of die-casted aluminium, extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and comprising a substantially tubular body (2) having a wall (8) delimiting a water chamber (7) , at least one baffle plate (3) that projects from the body (2) and is positioned along a middle plane (P) of the element (1) , and a plurality of heat exchange fins (4) that project from the baffle plate (3) ; the element being characterized in that the baffle plate (3) has differentiated thickness, the baffle plate (3) including zones (30) having different thickness.

2. An element according to claim 1, wherein at least some fins (4), supported directly by the baffle plate (3) and not directly contacting the wall (8) delimiting the water chamber (7) , are connected to the wall (8) that delimits the water chamber (7) by respective transverse zones (3 OA) of the baffle plate (3) having a thickness greater than other zones (30B) of the baffle plate (3) .

3. An element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thickness of the baffle plate (3) changes in longitudinal direction, that is in a direction parallel to the axis (A) , and/or in transverse direction, that is along axes perpendicular to the axis (A) and lying on the middle plane (P) .

4. An element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the baffle plate (3) has at least two groups of zones (3OA, 30B) that alternate with one another longitudinally and/or crosswise, and have respective different thickness.

5. An element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the baffle plate (3) comprises first zones (3OA) having a first thickness and second zones (3 OB) having a second thickness, lower than the first thickness.

6. An element according to claim 5, wherein the first zones (3OA) and the second zones (3OB) succeed one another in longitudinal and/or transverse direction.

7. An element according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first zones (30A) , having greater thickness, extend in transverse direction from the wall (8) delimiting the water chamber (7) to at least some fins (4) that are supported directly by the baffle plate (3) and are positioned between opposite longitudinal edges (14, 15) of the baffle plate (3) and do not contact said edges (14, 15) .

8. An element according to one of claims 5 to 7 , wherein the first zones (30A) , having greater thickness, support a number of fins (4) higher than the second zones (3OB) , having smaller thickness.

9. An element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the baffle plate (3) includes more than two groups of zones (30) having different thickness, and wherein the zones of each group have constant or variable thickness, different than the thickness of the other zones.