EP1946010A1

EP1946010A1 - Ventilation device combinable to a natural convection radiator in a heating and/or cooling system

Info

Publication number: EP1946010A1
Application number: EP06820779A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Federico Giua; Gaetano Pagano
Original assignee: Medys Medical Systems Srl
Current assignee: Medys Medical Systems Srl
Priority date: 2005-10-07
Filing date: 2006-10-06
Publication date: 2008-07-23
Also published as: WO2007042894A1; ITMI20051890A1

Abstract

A ventilation device (1) combinable to a natural convection radiator (2) in a heating and/or cooling system, has a casing (4) and at least one motorised fan (3) accommodated within the casing; the device (1) is provided with positioning means (9) for supporting the casing (4) in a predetermined position of use with respect to a wall-mounted radiator (2), and air conveying means (10) to determine a forced flow of ascending air through the radiator (2).

Description

VENTILATION DEVICE COMBINABLE TO A NATURAL CONVECTION RADIATOR IN A HEATING AND/OR COOLING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a ventilation device combinable to a natural convection radiator in a heating and/or cooling system for increasing performance and efficiency of the radiator.

BACKGROUND ART As known, in heating systems for buildings there are commonly used natural convection radiators, in which heat transfer from the radiator, internally crossed by a hot fluid from a boiler, to the air in the environment where the radiator is installed, occurs mainly by natural convection and is not assisted by any auxiliary air circulation means.

This type of system, in addition to not being fully satisfactory in terms of energy efficiency, has the drawback that when the heating system is turned on (e.g. after an absence) , a relatively long time is needed before the environment reaches the required temperature.

To avoid this drawback, in the transient periods in which the radiator system warms the environment up, it is known to use auxiliary heating devices, for example electrical heaters or portable heater fans, which associate an electrical heat source to a fan to diffuse hot air into the environment. However, these devices, in addition to being relatively complex, costly and cumbersome, generally have high energy consumption. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to increase the performance and efficiency of traditional convention radiators in radiator heating systems, simply, functionally and cost-effectively. The present invention thus relates to a ventilation device combinable to a natural convection radiator in a heating and/or cooling system, as defined in appended claim 1 and, for its preferred aspects, in the dependent claims . The device according to the invention is simple and cost-effective to make, considerably increases the efficiency of the radiator to which it is associated, allowing a significant overall saving of energy; given a very modest energy consumption required to operate the fan by means of an electrical motor, the device according to the invention indeed allows to considerably increase the installed thermal power of the radiator.

Substantially, the device according to the invention allows to convert a common radiator into a thermoconvector, i.e. a forced convection radiator, in

which the heat is transferred from the ^■ radiator to the air in the environment not simply by natural convection, but is assisted and favoured by a forced circulation of air.

The adaptation of a radiator into a thermoconvector requires structural intervention neither to the existing heating system nor to the radiator.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention allows the heating system to be converted into a cooling system, by circulating low temperature water in the system (for example at mains temperature) and diffusing in the rooms air that is cooler than ambient temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in the description of the following non-limitative examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- figure 1 is an exploded schematic view of a ventilation device according to the invention;

- figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the device in figure 1 assembled and applied to a natural convection radiator;

- figure 3 is a schematic view of the main components of the device in figure 1;

- figure 4 schematically shows a variation of the device

in figure 1;

- figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a different embodiment of the invention;

- figure 6 is a side view of the device in figure 5 applied to a radiator;

- figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention; — figures 8 and 9 are respectively a perspective view and a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the invention;

- figures 10 and 11 are respectively a perspective view and a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the invention;

- figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a further variation of the invention;

- figures 13 and 14 are respectively a perspective view and a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the invention;

- figures 15-16 are schematic cross-sectional views or further variations of the invention;

- figure 17 is a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention; - figure 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a

further embodiment of the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In figures from 1 to 3, number 1 indicates as a whole a ventilation device combinable to a natural convection radiator 2 of a generally known heating system; radiator 2 is of the common type (typically made of cast iron or aluminium) which is wall-mounted at a predetermined distance from the floor of the room in which it is installed.

Device 1 comprises at least one motorised fan 3, accommodated in a casing 4 and actuated by an electrical motor 5. In the example shown, device 1 comprises two tangential fans 3 (i.e. which work with a flow substantially tangent to their external diameter) rotating about a common rotation axis A and actuated by respective motors 5; fans 3 are aligned along axis A and are preferably made of moulded plastic material; each fan 3 comprises a plurality of longitudinal blades 6, circumferentially spaced out one with respect to the other and substantially parallel to each other and to axis A. Motor 5 is controlled by a control unit 7, for example an electronic board, connected to a power control 8 (e.g. operated by a user by means of a button or a remote control) .

Device 1 then comprises positioning means 9 for

supporting casing 4 in a predetermined position of use with respect to radiator 2 and air conveying means 10 for determining a forced flow of ascending air through radiator 2.

Control unit 7 is connected to a thermostat 11, provided with a temperature sensor 12 and/or a timer 13; device 1 is electrically powered in the known way, for example by means of a power wire 14 connectable to an external electrical mains .

Casing 4 is an elongated box-shaped casing which extends about fan 3 along axis A; casing 4 displays a frontal window 15, from which fan 3 aspirates air into casing 4, and a rear window 16 from which fan 3 emits air from casing 4; windows 15, 16 are elongated parallel to axis A and are formed in respective walls 17, 18 of casing 4 which project from a common edge 19 and are substantially converging. Windows 15, 16 are associated to respective grids 20, 21 and may be provided with filters, known and not shown, which are preferably removable.

Casing 4 is formed by a rear frame 22, defining wall 18 and provided with window 16, and a curved frontal case 23, defining wall 17 and provided with window 15, coupled one to the other (e.g. by means of screws) .

Air conveying means 10 comprise a pair of scrolls

24, arranged within casing 4 and within which fans 3 are rotatably accommodated; each scroll 24 is delimited by shaped portions of frame 22 and case 23, formed integrally with frame 22 or case 23, and have an input channel 25 facing window 15 and an output channel 26 leading to window 16. Positioning means 9 comprise fastening members 28 for fastening casing 4 to radiator 2; in particular, fastening members 28 are adapted to keep casing 4 in a position of use in which rotation axis A of fan 3 is substantially parallel to a lower edge 27 of wall-mounted radiator 2, i.e. is substantially horizontal.

In the non-limitative example shown in figures 1 and 2, fastening members 28 comprise a central bar 29, substantially parallel to axis A (horizontal) and a pair of adjustable side bars, joined to respective ends of bar 29 by means of fastening screws 31; bar 29 also displays one or more fasteners 32 cooperating with respective seats 33 carried by frame 22.

Casing 4, with all the internal components described above, forms a basic ventilating unit 34 which, in use, is fastened to radiator 2 by means of fastening members 28 in a position such that casing 4 is arranged near lower edge 27 of radiator 2, in front of radiator 2

and/or underneath lower edge 27. Preferably, scrolls 24 are shaped so that the air flow exiting window 16 is slanted by approximately 45° with respect to a vertical plane.

In the case of an aluminium radiator 2, device 1 is advantageously installed so that the air flow exiting window 16 hits radiator 2 underneath the lower edge 27

(as shown in figure 2) ; in the case of a cast iron radiator 2, normally having a transversal tubular manifold inferiorly parallel to lower edge 27, device 1 is preferably installed so that the air flow exiting window 16 hits radiator 2 over lower edge 27 and the lower tubular manifold of radiator 2.

When it is desired to increase the performance of radiator 2, device 1 is operated by means of power control 8. Rotating fans 3 aspirate air from the environment within casing 4 through window 15 and emit an ascending air flow through window 16 on radiator 2, according to respective directions 44, 45 which are slanted and form an angle lower than or approximately equal to 90° with respect to one the other. Thermostat 11 may be conveniently used to enable operation of device 1 only if radiator 2 has warmed up;

for this purpose, thermostat 11, for example a bimetallic thermostat preferably arranged on a delivery conduit of radiator 2, controls the operation of fans 3 only when a predetermined threshold temperature is reached.

The operation of device 1 may be automated, control unit 7 intervening automatically to control the operation of fans 3 either according to the temperature detected by sensor 12, according to parameters set in thermostat 11 and/or timer 13, or according to operating programs stored in control unit 7.

Optionally, device 1 comprises air treatment means 41, of any known type and only schematically shown in figure 1, arranged at window 15, for example fastened to grid 20; means 41, include, for example, purification means, ionisation means, humidification means and/or air perfuming means (known) .

In the variation of figure 4, in which (as in all the following figures) similar or equal details to those already described are indicated with the same numbers, device 1 comprises a basic unit 34 as described above and a baffle module 35 installed on an upper end 36 of radiator 2 and having the function of deflecting the flow generated by device 1 and which has crossed radiator 2, directing it towards the environment to be heated and avoiding the flow from directly hitting the wall zone over radiator 2 and thus preventing the typical blackening of the wall. Baffle module 35 is substantially shaped as an elongated cap and has a closed upper wall 37 and a frontal wall 38 provided with a grid 39 from which the air flow which has crossed radiator 2 is emitted. Baffle module 35 is fixed to radiator 2 by means of fastening members 40, for example hooks.

Air treatment means 41 as described above may be arranged at window 15 on basic unit 34 and/or at grid 39 of baffle module 35.

In the variation of figures 5 and 6, device 1 again comprises a basic unit 34 and a baffle module 35, as described above; in this variation, air conveying means 10 comprise a covering plate 50 covering radiator 2, which projects from casing 4 and is arranged, in position of use, in front of a frontal surface 51 of radiator 2. Plate 50, for example made of metallic sheet, extends along a longitudinal axis L, substantially orthogonal to axis A (and therefore vertical in use) between two longitudinally opposite ends 52, 53.

Positioning means 9 (again adapted to keep casing 4 in a predetermined position of use with respect to radiator 2 in which fans 3 are arranged near the lower edge 27 of radiator 2 with axis A substantially parallel to lower edge 27, i.e. substantially horizontal) again comprise fastening members 28 to fix casing 4 to radiator 2; in particular, fastening members 28 comprise a pair of bands 54 fixed to end 52 of plate 50 to cooperate with end 36 of radiator 2 and hang basic unit 34 onto radiator 2; fastening members 28 are shaped so as to be fastened for example (according to the structure of radiator 2) either to an upper transversal tube 55 of radiator 2 (as shown in figure 6) arranged near an upper end 56 of radiator 2, or to a frontal plate of radiator 2.

In the further variation of figure 7, plate 50 extends and substantially covers the entire frontal surface 51 of radiator 2 and is connected to basic unit 34 and to baffle unit 35.

In the variation of figures 8-9, device 1 again comprises motorised tangential fans 3 rotatably accommodated about a common rotation axis A in respective scrolls 24 formed in casing 4. Casing 4 extends about fans 3 along axis A and displays frontal suction windows 15 and upper delivery windows 16. Also in this case, device 1 aspirates air and emits air according to respective directions 44, 45 which form an angle either lower than or approximately equal to 90° one with respect

to the other.

Air conveying means 10 again comprise a covering plate 50 for covering frontal surface 51 of radiator 2. Positioning means 9 again comprise fastening members 28 to fix casing 4 to radiator 2 and carried for example by end 53 of plate 50 to cooperate with end 36 of radiator 2 and hang casing 4 to radiator 2; fastening members 28 are shaped so as to be fastened for example (according to the structure of the radiator 2) either to a frontal plate 57 of radiator 2, or (as shown with a dotted line in figure 5) to upper transversal tube 55 of radiator 2.

Also in this variation, air treatment means 41 may be provided, including in particular a humidifier tray 59 accommodated in a seat 60 formed on end 52.

Also in the further variation of figures 10-11, device 1 comprises a covering plate 50 covering radiator 2 and which extends along an axis L between two opposite longitudinal ends 52, 53; device 1 also comprises an adjustment mechanism 61 for varying the distance between ends 52, 53. In particular, adjustment mechanism 61 comprises a plurality of modular elements 62, connectable one to the other in selectable positions by means of either bands 63 or other adjustable connection members to

form plate 50.

In the example of figures 10-11, device 1 comprises a basic element 62a, comprising casing 4 and a first plate portion 50, a terminal element 62b, provided with fastening members 28, and an intermediate element 62c, defining a second plate portion 50 and removably fixed to element 62b and to element 62a. Element 62b displays a frontal air flow output opening 64 and a folded lap 65; fastening members 28 consist of a terminal edge 66 of lap 65 which is posteriorly fastened to end 56 of radiator 2 so as to hang device 1 to radiator 2.

The position of elements 62 with respect to each other may be varied either by fixing elements 62 onto different points of bands 63, or by using bands 63 of different length; a series of interchangeable elements 62c of different dimensions may also be provided, so as to form a modular system which may be adapted to radiators of different heights. If, as shown in figures 10-11, elements 62 are distanced one with respect to the other along axis L, the spaces left open between elements 62 define, in intermediate position between ends 52, 53 one or more air

outlet slots 67. Air conveying means 10 are shaped so as to direct the air flow in substantially vertical direction from the bottom upwards through radiator 2 so that the air flow hits radiator 2 obliquely with respect to a vertical axis of radiator 2 (i.e. with respect to axis L). For this purpose, fans 3 and scrolls 24 are oriented so as to send the air flow against a baffle 68 formed internally within plate 50 and in front of radiator 2, and baffle 68 is shaped so as to deviate the air flow towards radiator 2. In the variation schematically shown in figure 12, adjustment mechanism 61 comprises a pair of compass- hinged laps 65; lap 65a is integrally carried by end 52 of plate 50 (which in this case consists of a single monolith element) , and lap 65b is hinged to lap 65a parallely to axis A and ends with edge 66 cooperating with end 36 of radiator 2. By varying the opening between laps 65 the distance between ends 52, 53 is changed.

In the further variation of figures 13-14, fans 3 are arranged in front of radiator 2 and in intermediate position between ends 52, 53; air conveying means 10 comprise a descending channel 69, which takes the air flow generated by fans 3 to lower end 55 of radiator 2, and a U-shaped baffle 70 which conveys the air flow through radiator 2. End 52 of plate 50 also in this case carries air

outlet openings 64 and folded lap 65 provided with edge 66 for fastening end 56 of the radiator; but adjustment mechanism 61 comprises adjustable telescopic elements 73, for example screw or ratchet elements, which rest on end 56 of radiator 2; by varying the extension of telescopic elements 73, the distance between ends 52, 53 is changed and in particular end 53 is brought into contact with end 55 of radiator 2. Further configurations of device 1 are shown in figures 15 and 16. In the example of figure 15, fans 3 are arranged in front of frontal surface 51 of radiator 2 and the air flow is conveyed obliquely onto radiator 2 over lower edge 27. In the example of figure 16, casing 4 rests on upper end 56 of radiator 2 and fans 3 are arranged near end 56; device 1 works in this case by aspirating air through radiator 2 from the bottom upwards, and emitting air directly from fans 3 onto upper end 56 of radiator 2. Plate 50 projects downwards from casing 4 and may be formed by modular elements 74 so as to be adapted to radiators of different heights, similarly as described with reference to figures 10-11.

In the further embodiment of figure 17, basic unit 34 and in particular casing 4 are shaped so as to be inserted underneath lower edge 27 of wall-mounted radiator 2. Positioning means 9 comprise supporting members 78 to support casing 4 on a surface 79, in particular on a surface of the floor of the room in which radiator 2 is installed, and to keep casing 4 in a position of use in which rotation axis A of fan(s) 3 is substantially parallel to surface 79 and to lower edge 27 of radiator 2, i.e. is substantially horizontal. Optionally, supporting members 78 are associated to an adjustment mechanism 81 for adjusting the height of casing 4 on surface 79, of any known type, for example with telescopic pins.

In the variation of figure 18, within casing 4 are accommodated one or more (two in the example) fans 3 which, instead of being tangential fans of the type described above, are axial fans having substantially vertical and parallel respective rotation axes Al, A2; in this case, suction and delivery windows 15, 16 are formed in substantially opposite respective walls (lower wall and upper wall, respectively) of casing 4. In the example of figure 18, device 1 is of the type insertable underneath and resting on surface 79, as described with reference to figure 17, but it is obvious that axial fans may be used in any of the embodiments of the invention.

It is understood that axial fans may be used also in

the other embodiments of the invention described above.

Moreover, it is understood that further changes and variations may be made to the device described and shown herein without departing from the scope of the appended claims .

Claims

1. A ventilation device (1) combinable to a natural convection radiator (2) in a heating and/or cooling system, comprising a casing (4) and at least one motorised fan (3) accommodated within the casing, the device being characterised by comprising positioning means (9) for supporting the casing in a predetermined position of use with respect to a wall-mounted radiator

(2) , and air conveying means (10) to determine a forced flow of ascending air through the radiator (2) .

2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the fan (3) is a tangential fan revolving about a rotation axis (A) .

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, in the position of use, the fan (3) is arranged parallel to a lower, substantially horizontal, end edge (27) of the radiator (2).

4. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the air conveying means (10) are shaped so as to direct the air flow in substantially vertical direction from the bottom upwards through the radiator (2) .

5. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the air conveying means (10) are shaped so that the air flow impinges the radiator (2) obliquely with respect to a vertical axis of

the radiator.

6. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by aspirating air and emitting air along respective directions (44, 45) which form an angle lower than or approximately equal to 90° one with respect to the other.

7. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by extending along a longitudinal axis (L) , substantially orthogonal to a rotation axis (A) of the fan (3) , between two longitudinal opposite ends (52, 53), and by comprising an adjustment mechanism (61) for varying the distance between said ends.

8. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the positioning means (9) are adapted to keep the casing (4) in a position of use in which the fan (3) has a rotation axis A substantially parallel to a lower edge (27) of the radiator (2), i.e. substantially horizontal.

9. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the positioning means (9) comprise fastening members (28) to fix the casing (4) to the radiator (2) .

10. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the positioning means (9)

comprise fastening members (28) adapted to cooperate with an upper end (56) of the radiator (2) to hang the casing (4) onto the radiator (2) .

11. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the positioning means (9) comprise supporting members (78) for supporting the casing (4) on a surface (79), in particular on a surface of a floor.

12. A device according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the supporting members (78) are associated to an adjustment mechanism (81) for adjusting the height of the casing (4) on the surface (79) .

13. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by comprising a covering plate (5) for covering the radiator (2) , connected to the casing (4) to be arranged in front of a frontal surface (51) of the radiator (2) .

14. A device according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the plate (50) is provided with air outlet slots (67) arranged in intermediate position between opposite ends (52, 53) of the plate (50) .

15. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by comprising a baffle module (35)

provided with fastening members (40) for fastening to an upper end (36) of the radiator (2) .

16. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by comprising air treatment means

(41) for purifying, ionising, humidifying and/or perfuming the air.

17. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by comprising a thermostat (11) and/or a timer (13) associated to a control unit (7) for controlling the operation of the fan (3) .

18. A heating and/or cooling assembly comprising a natural convection radiator (2) in which an operative fluid at a predetermined temperature flows, and to which a ventilation device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims is associated.