EP2370746A2

EP2370746A2 - Heated air circulating device

Info

Publication number: EP2370746A2
Application number: EP09744434A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David James Haydon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-12-01
Filing date: 2009-10-22
Publication date: 2011-10-05
Also published as: GB0821875D0; WO2010064024A3; WO2010064024A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a heated air circulating device (10) to be located above a wall mounted radiator. The device comprises a housing defining an internal chamber and having an inlet (17, 33, 36) through which air heated by the radiator enters the chamber and an outlet (34) through which air is expelled from the chamber. Furthermore, the housing has a length that can be adjusted to suit the radiator above which it is mounted. The housing may comprise first (12) and second (13) tubular sections arranged such that the second section (13) locates at least partially inside the first section (12) and slides axially relative thereto between extended and retracted positions. Those first and second sections (12, 13) may be sized to form a frictional fit such that they remain in their relative positions without any other fixing mechanism being required. Apertures (17, 33) may be formed on the first and second sections (12, 13) and arranged at least partially in registration with each other when the second section (13) locates in the first section (12) to ensure a flow of air into the chamber.

Description

HEATED AIR CIRCULATING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a device for circulating heated air in a building and in particular to a device for circulating air heated by a radiator.

Nowadays, most residential and commercial buildings are heated by radiators. Generally, radiators have large surface areas that are heated by various systems, including electrical elements, hot water or steam and those large surfaces then heat up the surrounding air. Convection currents are created in the building such that the heated air rises and cooler air is drawn towards the radiator for heating.

Since most radiators are not particularly aesthetically appealing and require connection to an energy supply such as an electricity supply or pipe network, generally they are designed to be installed in front of a wall. So as not to occupy a large area of the room, radiators are generally flat or encompass a flat area so as not to project far from the wall. Thus it follows that such radiators typically have two large opposed front and rear faces and may also include brackets by which they may be mounted to a wall or feet on which they can stand. Regardless of how radiators are supported, they all have an inherent problem consequent on being positioned closely adjacent a wall. Specifically, a large proportion of the air heated by the rear surface is wasted as it actually heats the wall immediately therebehind and does not circulate around the room.

With the cost of energy becoming evermore expensive and the supply of fossil fuels, from which most of the world's energy is generated, diminishing rapidly, there is provided a particular impetus to avoid wasting energy. Though poorly insulated external walls of buildings are responsible for the largest amount of wasted energy in buildings, the problem described above contributes significantly.

Indeed devices for addressing this problem have been proposed previously and are effective in circulating heated air that would otherwise heat adjacent walls and be wasted. Advantageously these devices are adapted to circulate heated air surrounding the entire rear surface of the radiator and so preferably they extend along the entire length of the radiator. The appearance of such devices is also improved if their length corresponds to that of the radiator and so to make this possible, devices of various lengths are available to fit different length radiators. However, when buying such a device, most purchasers are not aware of the exact size of their radiator and so they often buy device of the wrong size. Furthermore, though such devices are very light, the number that can be transported at any one time is somewhat limited by their space. Furthermore, such devices are not always kept on the radiator during the summer time when the radiator is not used and are therefore stored out of sight, but again very long devices require considerable storage space, particularly a house having a large number of radiators. The present invention serves to overcome the problems outlined above associated with known heated air circulating devices by providing a device having an adjustable length so that it may be easily stored, transported and used effectively with a range of different size radiators.

According to the invention there is provided a heated air circulating device locatable above a radiator, the device comprising:

- a housing defining an internal chamber

- an inlet provided on the housing and through which air heated by the radiator enters the chamber;

- an outlet provided on the housing and through which air is expelled from the chamber, wherein the housing has a length that can be adjusted to suit the radiator above which it is mounted.

There are several mechanisms that could be incorporated on the device by which the length of the housing can be adjusted. Preferably the housing comprises first and second tubular sections arranged such that the second section locates at least partially inside the first section and may slide axially relative thereto between extended and retracted positions. The maximum length of the device is achieved by arranging the first and second sections in their extended positions and the minimum length is achieved by arranging the first and second sections in their retracted position. In one embodiment a third section may be located at least partially inside the second section and adapted for sliding movement axially therelaong. Indeed a device may include more than three such telescopic sections. For instance, a device can achieve a particular length by utilising many short sections or fewer long sections. The advantage of shorter length sections is that the device can be more easily stored whereas the advantage of longer length sections is that they might be easier and cheaper to make and more visually appealing.

Alternatively, the device may include a convoluted portion, such that the spacing between two adjacent convolutions is extended or retracted as the length of the housing is adjusted. Though such a mechanism enables the length of the housing to be adjusted effectively, its appearance is somewhat inferior to the multiple sections described above.

Preferably, the inlet is defined by a plurality of holes formed in the lower face of the housing. These holes are preferably spaced along the housing regardless of its adjusted length. Where the housing is formed from multiple telescopic sections the holes may be formed in the lower face of these sections. Holes formed in the separate sections may be configured such that the holes of the sections at least partially overlap each other regardless of the relative position of the sections. The holes of different overlapping sections may have different size, shape and/or separation to achieve this. This ensures that sufficient inlet holes are spaced along the housing so that air may be drawn into the chamber notwithstanding the relative positions of the sections. Were the apertures of each section to be similarly shaped and spaced uniformly apart they might be covered by a face of the other section at certain positions, thus preventing the flow of air into the chamber.

Advantageously, any two co-operating sections form a frictional fit so that they maintain their relative position unless change is desired. The frictional fit may be achieved by selecting the size of the internal dimensions of the first section to be substantially equal to the external dimensions of the second section. For instance, in the case of a cylindrical housing the internal diameter of the first section may be substantially equal to the external diameter of the second section. This way, the spatial relationship between the first and second sections is such that the inner surface of the first surfaces engages the outer surface of the second section.

Furthermore, the first and second sections may have substantially identical cross-sectional shapes as this is likely to simplify the assembly process and also avoid on interconnection problems. Preferably the housing has a lower face adapted to match that of a radiator on which it is placed. As -A-

this is often flat the housing may have a substantially planar lower section adapted to rest on an upper surface of the radiator and most preferably the housing is elongate with a square cross-sectional shape. However, the housing may instead have circular, polygonal or other shaped cross-sections. In one arrangement the first and second sections have respective first and second free ends, and one of said first and second free ends is open and defines the outlet and the other of said first and second free ends is closed. In this way, all heated air entering the chamber is drawn by the fan towards the single outlet. The closed end of the housing can be sealed by any suitable means so as only heated air from the rear of the radiator is drawn into the chamber. In a preferred arrangement the first and second sections each have a generally planar lower wall and a flap having a shape corresponding substantially to the cross-sectional shape of the housing is defined in the lower wall adjacent the closed end. The flap extends through the inside housing and has an end portion that may be attached to an upper wall such that the flap serves to close the other of the first and second ends. Most preferably the flap is angled towards the outlet so that air entering the chamber is directed by the flap towards the outlet. In an alternative arrangement the first and second sections have respective first and second free ends that are open and define first and second outlets and most preferably first and second fans are mounted in those outlets. The presence of two fans of equal power may reduce the likelihood of a significant pressure differential along the length of the chamber and may also enable lower power fans to be used which may be quieter and cheaper.

In a preferred arrangement the housing also includes a fragrance source. This may be in solid or fluid form and may be mounted inside the chamber so that the fragrance volatilises and becomes entrained in the heated air exiting the housing. Most preferably the fragrance source releases the fragrance in response to a rise in temperature, for example by way of a temperature sensitive valve or the fragrance itself may intensify when heated. In one arrangement the fragrance source is located downstream of the fan. Furthermore, the fragrance source could be provided on an interior surface of the housing so that it evaporates when the heated air passes thereover.

The device may also comprise a light source and most preferably an electrical light and a light sensor operable to effect energisation of the light source.

Preferably one or more of the fan, light source and fragrance source are packaged in a case that may be installed in the housing as a single unit with a single power supply.

In order that it may be better understood, but by way of example only, one embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the components of the device shown partially separated, with various hidden features shown in broken line;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the device shown in Figure 1 , but with the inner and outer sections joined to define the housing; and

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the fan and light unit.

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a heated air circulating device, generally indicated 10, to be mounted on or above a radiator and adapted to circulate heated air from the radiator including that accumulating between the radiator and an adjacent wall. The device 10 comprises a housing defined by a tubular outer section 12 and a tubular inner section 13 slidably received inside the tubular outer section 12. Each of the tubes will now be discussed separately below.

The Inner tubular section 13 has opposed upper and lower walls 14,15 and opposed side walls 16 extending between the upper and lower walls to define the inner section's generally square cross-sectional shape. In these drawings the sections are shown upside down better to display the holes in the lower walls. Formed in the lower wall 15 of the inner section 13 are four identical diamond shaped holes 17 arranged in a row and spaced uniformly apart along the length of the section 13. A rectangular flap 20 formed from the lower wall is pivoted about edge 21 so as to extend inwardly at an angle. It has an end portion 22 which is affixed to the internal face of upper wall 15. Since the flap has a width equal to that of the tubular section its opposed side edges 23 engage the internal faces 24 of the side walls 16 so as to close the outer end 25 of the section 13. An opening 36 is defined in the lower wall 15 where the flap has been removed and which, in combination with the diamond shaped holes 17, define part of the inlet through which heated air enters the housing in use. The tubular outer section 12 comprises upper and lower opposed walls

30,31 and opposed sidewalls 32 extending therebetween. A row of four identically shaped hexagonal holes 33 are formed in the lower wall 31 and are spaced uniformly along the length of the outer section. The outer end 34 of the outer section 12 is furnished with a fan assembly 35 comprising a square body having a circular opening defining an outlet through which heated air is expelled. An electrical fan is supported on the body in registration with the opening and is operable to expel air from within the housing. The fan is electrically connected to a power cable and a thermostat for selectively powering the fan once the air in the vicinity reaches a predefined temperature. The inner and outer sections 12,13 can each be moulded, fabricated or otherwise manufactured, but in this particular embodiment they are each formed from a polypropylene blank which is folded during assembly to form a tube. Typically the blank is stamped from a sheet of polypropylene by a die that not only includes a cutting edge but also a blunt creasing edge to define the folded edges of each section. Polypropylene is used for several reasons, including its strength, rigidity and also its ability to be cold worked thereby enabling the creases to be formed. In addition to the upper, lower and opposed side walls of each section, each blank also includes a tab 38 which is attached to the upper wall and ultrasonically welded to the internal face of a side wall once the blank is folded to form a tubular section.

In use, the inner section 13 is inserted partially inside the outer section 12 and slid axially relative to said outer section 12 so as to extend or retract the effective length of the housing to match the length of the radiator. The housing is then presented to the radiator such that the lower walls of the tubular sections bear against the uppermost face or edge of the radiator. Optionally, for additional support the one or more opposed side wall of the tubular sections may bear against an adjacent wall. Whatever the relative positions of the inner and outer sections 12,13, the differently shaped holes 17,33 and the opening 36 ensure heated air can always enter the interior of the housing at suitable positions along its length. When the air in the vicinity of the fan assembly 35 reaches the predefined temperature, the motor turns the fan which expels air through the outlet. In so doing, a negative pressure is created in the housing 10 which causes heated air surrounding the rear face of the radiator to be drawn therein.

A combined fan and light assembly is shown in Figure 3. The fan assembly is essentially similar to that described above, but with the addition of a light assembly 41 , including a light source 42, a light sensor 43 and a power switch 44 located to one side of the outlet.

Claims

1 . A heated air circulating device locatable above a wall mounted radiator, the device comprising: - a housing defining an internal chamber

2. A heated air circulating device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises first and second tubular sections, the second section being arranged to locate at least partially inside the first section and slide axially relative thereto between extended and retracted positions.

3. A heated air circulating device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein provided on the first and second sections are apertures which are arranged at least partially in registration with each other when the second section locates in the first section to ensure a flow of air into the chamber.

4. A heated air circulating device as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein any two co-operating sections form a frictional fit so that they maintain their relative positions.

5. A heated air circulating device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first and second sections have substantially identical cross- sectional shapes.

6. A heated air circulating device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the first and second sections have respective first and second free ends, and one of said first and second free ends is open and defines the outlet.

7. A heated air circulating device as claimed in claim 6, wherein a flap extends into the housing from the lower wall so as to close the other of said first and second ends.

8. A heated air circulating device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the flap is angled towards the outlet and an opening is defined in the lower face through which air enters the chamber and is directed by the angled flap towards the outlet.

9. A heated air circulating device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the other of the first and second free ends is also open and defines an outlet.

10. A heated air circulating device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a fragrance source is provided in or on the housing.

1 1. A heated air circulating device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the fragrance source is heat activated.

12. A heated air circulating device as claimed in claim 10 or claim 1 1 , wherein the fragrance source is disposed downstream of the fan.

13. A heated air circulating device as claimed in any preceding claim, and further comprising a light source.

14. A heated air circulating device as claimed in claim 13, and further comprising a light sensor arranged to control the energisation of the light source.