EP0764824B1 - Ttube radiator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to tubular radiators, made up of collecting tubes to which are transferred by welding, soldering, bonding or screwing heat emitting tubes. Depending on the models, the collector and emitter tubes are positioned vertically, horizontally, or in bias.

The radiator header tubes are intended to be connected to an inlet duct and to a flow pipe for the heat transfer fluid and, according to constraints related to aesthetics, accessibility or other, the connection can be made in different locations of the radiator header tubes. Thereby, during its manufacture, each radiator is designed to a particular mode of connection, which requires make and have in stock, for a model, radiators suitable for each connection method.

In addition, for radiators made on measurement, it is necessary to specify during the controls the desired connection mode or, when delivery, choice of connection position may have changed often due to constraints of the site, and the delivered radiator is not suitable, which causes delays on site.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the above mentioned drawbacks to the connection of current tubular radiators, and remove all the trouble about the study and the control of specific radiators linked to a mode of very precise connection.

To this end, the invention proposes to make each universal radiator in terms of sound connection, allowing then to be able to choose when installing the connection method of the radiator.

By document DE-A-16 79 429 we know a tubular radiator made up of two collecting tubes interconnected by transmitter tubes and equipped with a universal connection device comprising, at the interior of one of these collector tubes and disposed of preferably towards the end of it, a watertight transverse bulkhead, chosen to perform the radiator fluid supply connection coolant by dividing the relevant collector in two chambers respectively receiving the fluid supply and return fluid.

The tubular radiator according to the invention is of the type known from DE-A-16 79 429 above mentionned. It is characterized in that each tube collector internally, preferably towards each end of it, a partitioning transverse with a wide opening which allows the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the collector, a obturation element being intended to be engaged in the opening of the partition associated with the end of collector chosen to make the connection supply, so as to seal the said opening.

It is thus understood that, by the establishment of the sealing element in the opening of the partition appropriate at the time of installation of the radiator, so we have until the very last moment complete freedom to choose the connection method of this radiator.

The partitions thus set up at the inside of the collecting tubes can be made of metal, or in matters of synthesis. Their attachment to the wall inside the collecting tube can be done by welding, brazing, gluing, mounting force or by crimping. The edge of the opening in the partitioning can be smooth, threaded, notched, or present clips.

The system according to the invention, which allows to close the partition closest to the supply of the heat transfer fluid (or the return of this fluid as appropriate) provides the power maximum temperature of the radiator whatever the mode of connection chosen.

Currently, either the radiator is manufactured specially for a desired connection method and this requires a wide variety of manufacturing, some models planned for stocking meet to several connection methods (and not to all) and in this case the thermal power can be significantly lower given the non-proximity partitioning.

When the radiator connection must be of the twin-tube type, i.e. with orifices input and output, the shutter element then has the shape of a plug, either simple or with stepped profile. This plug can, depending on the case, be of metal, synthetic material or rubber, and its watertight mounting on the partition opening can be done by force, by screwing, by notching or by means of retaining clips.

When the radiator connection must be of the monotube type, i.e. must be done by a single port using a tap type monotube, the closure element includes a socket stepped, made of metal, synthetic material or rubber engaging in the partition opening and internally receiving, with seal, the cannula back from the tap which opens into the collector beyond the closed partition.

The stepped socket may have a closable, breakable end, making it possible to obtain, by a simple cut, the diameter adjusted to the cannula or connection valve probe. When she is made of rubber, the socket may have a conical shape due to the elasticity of this matter.

The watertight mounting of the stepped socket on the edge of the opening in the partition can be done by force, by screwing or notching, or using retaining clips.

la figure 1 est une vue schématique en élévation d'un radiateur tubulaire à tubes collecteurs horizontaux, équipé du dispositif de raccordement universel selon l'invention, dans le cas d'un raccordement du type bi-tube ;

la figure 2 est une vue de détail de la figure 1;

la figure 3 est une vue schématique en élévation d'un radiateur tubulaire à collecteurs horizontaux, équipé d'une autre forme de réalisation du dispositif de raccordement universel selon l'invention, utilisant une variante de l'organe d'obturation;

La figure 4 est une vue de détail de la figure 3;

la figure 5 est une vue qui correspond à la figure 3, mais dans le cas d'un raccordement monotube;

la figure 6 est une vue de détail de la figure 5;

la figure 7 est une vue correspondant à la figure 5, mais dans le cas d'un radiateur tubulaire à collecteurs verticaux ; et

la figure 8 montre l'assemblage de deux radiateurs équipés selon l'invention pour réaliser un radiateur unique.

To make the device according to the invention clearly understood, there will be described below, by way of examples without limitation, preferred embodiments with reference to the appended schematic drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic elevational view of a tubular radiator with horizontal manifolds, equipped with the universal connection device according to the invention, in the case of a connection of the twin-tube type;

Figure 2 is a detail view of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic elevational view of a tubular radiator with horizontal manifolds, equipped with another embodiment of the universal connection device according to the invention, using a variant of the closure member;

Figure 4 is a detail view of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view which corresponds to Figure 3, but in the case of a single-tube connection;

Figure 6 is a detail view of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a view corresponding to Figure 5, but in the case of a tubular radiator with vertical manifolds; and

Figure 8 shows the assembly of two radiators equipped according to the invention to produce a single radiator.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a tubular radiator comprising two collecting tubes 1.1 'horizontal connected together by transmitter tubes vertical 2 each of which communicates through an opening upper with the upper manifold 1 and, by a lower opening 3 (see figure 2), with the lower collector 1 '.

Each 1.1 ′ collector comprises, towards each of its ends, a transverse partitioning 4 made of metal fixed by welding (or positioned by force) to the inner wall of the collector and having a passage 5 of large diameter. Each partitioning 4, in the example shown, is arranged inside the manifold between the connection openings of the second and third emitting tubes 2.

Depending on the connection method wish to establish, we seal with a seal the opening of one of the four partitions that presents the radiator. Partitioning 4 including the opening 5 is to be closed being that disposed at the neighborhood of the collector end by which must make the power connection.

In the example of the radiator in Figure 1, we have assumed that we want to obtain a connection of twin-tube type (i.e. with inlet and separate outlet) on the lower collector 1 'of the radiator. To this end, we sealed off with a cover 6, having the shape of a simple stopper in force-fitted synthetic material, the opening 5 of the partition 4 placed at the right end of the lower collector 1 'looking at figure 1. With this assembly the heat transfer fluid, opening by inlet 7 in the right end of the collector 1 ', is forced to go up in both first vertical tubes 2 then to flow into the upper collector 1, crossing the partitions open 4 of this collector, to come back down along the other emitting tubes 2 and joining the lower manifold 1 'to outlet 8.

With the same structure of collectors closable partitions 4, we would have just as well was able to connect the radiator to the upper collector 1 thereof, closing either annular left partitioning of the collector upper 1 (if the inlet should be arranged at right on this collector) or the partitioning right annular of this manifold 1 (if the orifice entry should be left on this collector).

To allow, when connecting the radiator, easy installation of the cover 6 in the opening 5 of the appropriate partition 4 of the collector, using an appropriate tool, both ends 9 of each of the two collectors 1,1 ' have an opening 10 tightly closed by a removable plug 10 '. To simplify the drawing, at the Figure 1, only one end of one of the two collectors 1 and 1 ′ has been shown equipped with such removable plug 10 ', but it will be understood that for allow universal connection of the radiator the two ends of the two 1.1 'manifolds must be so equipped.

The transverse partitions 4 can be made of metal, or an appropriate synthetic material. They are fixed on the interior wall of the collector by welding, soldering, brazing, bonding or crimping. The interior opening of the partitioning, intended to receive the cover, can be smooth, threaded, notched, or present clips, depending on the mode of fixing of the cover.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cover 6 'has the shape of a split plastic stopper, particularly visible in Figure 4. Such a plug has the particularity that it can not only be used for a bi-tube type connection like aux Figures 1 and 2, but also be used in the case of a connection to a single orifice by means of a tap says monotube, as we will see later in reference in Figures 5 and 6. For this last application, we then cut the closed end 11 of the plug 6 'at a height along the body of the cap such that the inside diameter of the end of the plug 6 'after cut corresponds to the outside diameter of the cannula tap.

In the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6, such a monotube connection has been shown on the orifice 20 formed in the end 9 'of the manifold lower 1 'of the radiator. The connection valve 12 used includes an external supply duct 13 opening into chamber 14, determined in the right end of the manifold 1 ', between the wall end 9 'and partitioning 4, to supply the first two emitting tubes 2, and an outlet cannula 15 which passes inside the conduit 13, crosses a socket 16 engaged in the partition opening 4 and opens into the central part of the collector 1 ' beyond this compartmentalization.

We understand that the heat transfer fluid, entering 17 in tap 12, supplied the chamber 14 of manifold 1 ', runs through the first two tubes emitters 2 of the radiator, then circulates in the upper collector 1, returns via the other tubes 2 in the collector 1 ', and is discharged through the inner tube 15 to exit the tap 12 in 18.

The socket 16 is a split breakable socket plastic which, before being put in place in the opening of the partition 4, is cut to the appropriate length so that the inside diameter of its cut end adjusts to the outside diameter of the cannula 15, so as to ensure a good seal between the chambers inside the collector 1 ', on either side of the partitioning 4.

We also understand, although we don't have it shown in Figure 5 to simplify the drawing, that each 1.1 'manifold includes a closable orifice each of the ends so that the connection of the tap 12 can be carried out at will at any which of the four radiator angles.

Finally, in Figure 7, we have shown in variant the connection of a 12 'one-pipe tap to the lower end of one of the two collectors vertical of a radiator with emitting tubes 2 ' horizontal.

In Figure 8 there are shown two tubular radiators both fitted according to the invention, that is to say whose collectors 21,21 ' have, in the vicinity of each end, a transverse partition 24 having an opening 25 large diameter. The upper collectors 21 and the lower manifolds 21 'of the two radiators are connected together, respectively, by fittings conventional 22. By assembling the two radiators, so we get a larger radiator which has the same universality of connection as each of the two radiators. The connection method of the large radiator thus obtained will be chosen on the site, after assembly, by arrangement of the cover 26 in the opening 25 of the partition 24 appropriate.

In this way we can avoid manufacturing of devices which, being large dimensions, are very heavy and are often defective as a result of transport and handling on site.

Claims (7)

1. Tubular radiator which is constituted by two header tubes (1, 1'), which are connected to each other by radiating tubes (2), and which is fitted with a universal connection device which comprises, inside one of the header tubes (1, 1') and preferably arranged towards the end thereof, a tight transverse partition (4) which is selected to effect the connection for supplying the radiator with heat-exchanging fluid, while separating the relevant header (1, 1') into two chambers which receive the supply fluid and the return fluid, respectively, characterised in that each header tube (1, 1') comprises internally, preferably towards each end of the tube, a transverse partition (4) which has a large opening (5) which allows the heat-exchanging fluid to circulate in the header (1, 1'), there being provided a closure element (6, 6', 16) for engagement in the opening (5) of the partition (4) which is associated with the end of the header selected to effect the supply connection in order to close the opening (5) in a tight manner.
2. Tubular radiator according to claim 1, characterised in that the closure element has the shape of a plug (6, 6').
3. Tubular radiator according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the closure element (6) is of metal or of a synthetic material.
4. Tubular radiator according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the plug (6') is of a sectile synthetic material and has a stepped profile.
5. Tubular radiator according to claim 1, characterised in that the closure element comprises a sectile stepped sleeve (16) of rubber or of a synthetic material, in which is engaged in a tight manner the hollow return member (15) of a connection valve (12) for a single aperture.
6. Tubular radiator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each end of the headers (1, 1') has an opening (9) which is closed by a removable tight closure member (10) and which affords access inside the header (1, 1') for the positioning of the closure element (6, 6', 16).
7. Tubular radiator according to claim 5 and claim 6, characterised in that the opening (9') of the header (1, 1') is designed to allow the mounting of the connection valve (12).

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