EP2488814B1

EP2488814B1 - Heating radiator element

Info

Publication number: EP2488814B1
Application number: EP10785183.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Francesco Franzoni
Original assignee: Fondital SpA
Current assignee: Fondital SpA
Priority date: 2009-10-13
Filing date: 2010-10-12
Publication date: 2016-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 2030-10-12
Also published as: PT2488814T; ITMI20091751A1; UA107681C2; EP2488814A2; RS55030B1; WO2011045652A2; WO2011045652A3; HRP20160975T1; HUE029268T2; EA201270542A1; ES2586130T3; CN102648386B; CN102648386A; PL2488814T3; IT1396203B1; EA021487B1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a heating radiator element, in particular for heating buildings.

BACKGROUND ART

As is known, a heating radiator can be formed by a battery of elements coupled to one another to form a radiator of appropriate dimensions; each element has a body made of metal material, obtained inside which is a chamber, in which heating water circulates. Extending from the body are radiant plates and fins, via which the heat of the water is transferred to the environment in which the radiator is installed.
In particular, known radiator elements usually have a front heat-exchange plate and a rear heat-exchange plate; these plates are formed by substantially uniform and continuous plates (only the rear plates, in some cases, have a pair of openings for insertion of brackets for fixing the element to the wall).
Such a radiator element is known from US 40 36,287 . The efficiency of heat exchange of radiator elements of this type still seems to present margins for improvement.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

An aim of the present invention is to provide a particularly efficient radiator element that is at one and the same time simple and relatively inexpensive to produce.
The present invention consequently regards a radiator element, as defined in essential terms in the annexed Claim 1 and, in its additional features, in the dependent claims.
A radiator formed by elements in accordance with the invention has an efficiency higher than in other known solutions: in fact, the particular configuration of at least one of the radiant plates enables conditions of flow to be obtained that ensure a high efficiency of heat exchange.
The element of the invention can moreover be produced in a relatively simple and inexpensive way, and is suited also to being made, for example, of die-cast aluminium, hence being particularly convenient to produce.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge clearly from the ensuing description of a non-limiting example of embodiment thereof, with reference to the figures of the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a rear/lateral perspective view of a radiator element in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a front/lateral perspective view of a radiator element in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 is a front/lateral perspective view of a radiator element in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; and
Figures 4 and 5 are, respectively, a front/lateral perspective view and a rear view of a radiator element in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to Figure 1, a radiator element 1 for heating buildings has a base body 2 made of metal material, in particular aluminium and, for example (but not necessarily) of die-cast aluminium; the body 2 is a hollow body, comprising a substantially tubular main portion 3 extending longitudinally along a principal axis X, which, with reference to the normal position of use of the element 1, is substantially vertical; the element 1 is provided with an inner chamber 4 for the passage of water and transverse connection sleeves 5 for connection to other radiator elements, and/or to a hydraulic circuit.
The body 2 has a front heat-exchange plate 6, basically facing in use the environment to be heated, and a rear heat-exchange plate 7, opposite to the front plate 6; the plates 6, 7 extend longitudinally along respective axes Z parallel to the axis X and are substantially parallel to one another; plates 6, 7 are connected to the main portion 3 by respective central longitudinal ribs 8 (just one of which is visible in Figure 1), which are arranged basically in a centre plane of the element 1, extend radially from the main portion 3, and are substantially orthogonal to the plates 6, 7.
The element 1 moreover has two opposite sides 9 (just one of which is visible in Figure 1), which have respective opposite lateral surfaces 10: in the non-limiting example illustrated in Figure 1 (but not necessarily), the lateral surfaces 10 are defined by respective lateral surface portions of the main portion 3 and by respective faces of the ribs 8.
The plates 6, 7 are delimited by respective pairs of opposite longitudinal lateral edges 11 and by respective pairs of opposite faces 13, 14, for example, (but not necessarily) substantially plane and parallel; in particular, each plate 6, 7 has an inner face 13, facing the other plate, and an outer face 14 opposite to the inner face 13.
In the non-limiting example illustrated in Figure 1, the plates 6, 7 are substantially orthogonal to the centre plane of the element 1 and have a generically quadrilateral (in particular, substantially rectangular) shape; it remains understood that one or both of the plates can have a shape different from the one here described purely by way of example, it being possible, for example, to have faces that are curved, undulated, etc., and/or rounded, oval, etc.
The rear plate 7 is formed by a plurality of plate portions 17, to be precise at least three and preferably four or more, arranged coplanar and aligned in succession along the axis Z (parallel to the axis X); the plate 7 has a plurality of through cuts 18, which are formed orthogonally passing between the faces 13, 14, are set in succession along the axis Z and axially spaced apart along the axis Z, and delimit a plurality of plate portions 17.
In particular, the plate 7 has at least one series of three or more (and preferably four or more) cuts and/or openings 18, which are arranged in succession along the axis Z and are axially spaced apart along the axis Z and delimit at least three (preferably at least four) plate portions 17 arranged coplanar and aligned parallel to the axis Z; each plate portion 17 is delimited axially by a pair of consecutive cuts 18 along the axis Z.
At least two cuts 18 of the series are set in a central area of the plate 7; understood by "central area" of the plate 7 is the area of the plate 7 that is set on opposite sides of a median transverse surface, perpendicular to the axis Z intersecting the plate 7 half-way up along the axis Z of the plate 7, and that has a height (measured along the axis Z) equal to at least half of the overall height of the plate 7 (once again measured along the axis Z).
The central area includes at least two plate portions 17.
In the example illustrated in Figure 1, the plate 7 has two series of cuts 18 set alongside one another; the cuts 18 of the two series face one another; pairs of cuts 18 of the two series are aligned in a transverse direction (perpendicular) to the axis Z. The cuts 18 of each series are substantially aligned parallel to the axis Z.
Preferably, each series is formed by at least four cuts 18 set in succession along the axis Z and axially spaced apart along the axis Z, which delimit at least four plate portions 17 arranged coplanar and aligned parallel to the axis Z.
Here and in what follows, the term "cut" is used to indicate a generic opening formed passing through a plate between the opposite faces of the plate, irrespective of its method of production, its shape, etc.; the cuts can in particular have any shape and are delimited by open perimetral edges (e.g., slits).
The plate 7 has elongated cuts 18 substantially transverse to the axis Z.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the cuts have a width smaller than the length (where the width is understood as being measured parallel to the axis Z, and the length is understood as being measured in a direction perpendicular to the axis Z).
Each plate portion 17 has an internal surface, facing the body 2 and the front plate 6, and an external surface, opposite to the internal surface, formed by respective portions of the faces 13, 14 of the plate 7.
In the embodiment of Figure 1, each cut 18 extends between the opposite lateral edges 11 of the plate 7 and traverses the plate 7 completely in a transverse direction, separating the plate portions 17 from one another.
The plate portions 17 are mechanically supported by the rib 8, which, in the example illustrated, extends substantially for the entire overall length of the plate 7 and also connects the plate portions 17 to one another; the plate portions 17 are fixed on a front edge 19 of the rib 8 via the respective internal surfaces and extend in cantilever fashion from the front edge 19: in other words, the front edge 19 of the rib 8 is set back with respect to the external surfaces of the plate portions 17 and is not coplanar with them.
Alternatively, the plate portions 17 are delimited by pairs of opposite cuts 18, which extend from respective mutually opposite lateral edges 11 and are separated by a central tie or connection portion, coplanar with the plate portions 17, which connects the plate portions. In this case, the tie is flush with the external surfaces of the plate portions 17.
In any case, the lateral edges 11 of the plate 7 are discontinuous, being interrupted by respective series of cuts 18 set along the lateral edges 11; each of the lateral edges 11 is interrupted in at least three, and preferably four or more, longitudinal positions.
In the example illustrated in Figure 1, the front plate 6 is constituted by a continuous flat lamina, without, that is, cuts, for example, substantially rectangular, which has substantially rectilinear lateral edges 11 without interruptions; it remains in any case understood that also the front plate 6 can be formed by plate portions 17 like the rear plate 7, as illustrated in Figure 2, in which precisely the front plate 6 and the rear plate 7 are formed by respective pluralities of plate portions 17 delimited by respective pluralities of cuts 18.
In the example of Figure 2, the plate portions 17 of the plates 6, 7 are delimited by pairs of opposite cuts 18: the cuts 18 of each pair extend from respective mutually opposite lateral edges 11 and are separated by a central tie or connection portion 20, coplanar with the plate portions 17; the connection portions 20 are advantageously formed by respective appendages of the rib 8 and are substantially flush with the external surfaces of the plate portions 17.
It remains then understood that only the front plate 6 may present the cuts 18 delimiting the plate portions 17, and the rear plate 7 may be constituted by a continuous lamina. In general, at least one between the front plate 6 and the rear plate 7, or else both of the plates 6, 7 are formed by pluralities of plate portions 17.
As illustrated both in Figure 1 and in Figure 2, the radiator element 1 also comprises, advantageously, a plurality of radiant fins 25, which extend from the body 2; in particular, the element 1 comprises two opposed, preferably symmetrical, sets 26 of fins 25, which extend from respective lateral surfaces 10 of the sides 9.
The fins 25 extend basically in a longitudinal direction along the sides 9, for example, substantially orthogonal to the centre plane of the element 1, and/or substantially orthogonal to the lateral surface 10 of the side 9 from which they extend.
Each fin 25 is defined by a substantially flat lamina; the fins 25 are substantially plane and parallel to one another and to the plates 6, 7 (but could also be curved or have other shapes). Each fin 25 extends substantially between two longitudinal ends of the body 2, without interruptions.
In the variant illustrated in Figure 3, the fins 25 are arranged in rows 27, which extend along respective axes A substantially parallel to the axis X.
Each row 27 is formed by a plurality of fins 25 (at least two and preferably three or more fins) aligned along the respective axis A and separated by respective series of grooves 28; the fins 25 of adjacent rows 27 are staggered with respect to one another in a direction transverse to the axes A, or rather at least some fins 25 of each row 27 at least partially face respective grooves 28 of the adjacent row.
Preferably, each set 26 comprises three, four or more rows 27 of fins 25 set staggered; each row 27 has fins 25 staggered with respect to the fins 25 of the adjacent row or rows 27.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the rear plate 7 (and/or the front plate 6, even though in Figure 4 this is represented as a continuous lamina) has undulated lateral edges 11, provided with respective series of cuts 18 that succeed one another along the lateral edges 11 and are shaped so as to define respective concave recesses in the lateral edges 11.
In particular, the plate 7 has opposite pairs of cuts 18 (in particular, at least two and preferably at least three pairs of cuts 18), which extend from respective lateral edges 11 of the plate 7 towards one another (without joining) and delimit three or more plate portions 17 arranged in succession along the axis Z.
Each pair of cuts 18 is formed by two opposed U-shaped or V-shaped cuts 18, optionally delimited by rounded edges, and are separated by a central tie or connection portion 20 that connects two consecutive plate portions 17.
Preferably, the cuts 18 formed in each lateral edge 11 are aligned to respective cuts 18 formed in the opposite lateral edge 11; alternatively, the cuts 18 formed in the two lateral edges 11 are staggered.
The connection portions 20 are arranged coplanar to the plate portions 17 and have respective front surfaces flush with the external surfaces of the plate portions 17, together with which they form the outer face 14 of the plate 7.
On account of the presence of the cuts 18, the connection portions 20 have a transverse width (measured perpendicular to the axis Z on the outer face 14, or between the vertices of the cuts 18 of each pair of cuts) smaller than that of the plate portions 17.
Also in this embodiment, the element 1 advantageously comprises fins 25 arranged in rows and staggered in a transverse direction.
In this case, the rows 27 of fins 25 are constituted by respective undulated sides 29 extending along respective axes A; each side 29 has a succession of crests and troughs that define, respectively, the fins 25 and the grooves 28. Also in this embodiment, the fins 25 of adjacent rows 27 (or rather of adjacent sides 29) are at least in part staggered in a direction transverse to the axes A; for this purpose, the sides 29 are shaped and arranged in such a way that crests and troughs of adjacent sides are staggered in a direction transverse to the axes A.
Finally, it remains understood that further modifications and variations may be made to the radiator element described and illustrated herein, without thereby departing from the scope of the annexed claims.

Claims

A heating radiator element (1), comprising a base hollow body (2), comprising a substantially tubular main portion (3) extending longitudinally along a principal axis (X), and at least one front or rear heat-exchange plate (6, 7), which extends longitudinally along an axis (Z) and has a pair of opposite longitudinal lateral edges (11) and a pair of opposite faces (13, 14); the plate (6, 7) being connected to the main portion (3) by a central longitudinal rib (8)., which is arranged basically in a centre plane of the element (1), extends radially from the main portion (3) and is substantially orthogonal to the plate (6, 7); characterized in that
the plate (6, 7) has at least one series of three or more elongated cuts (18) formed orthogonally between the opposite faces (13,14) of the plate (6,7) and substantially transverse to the axis (Z) and set in succession along the axis (Z) and axially spaced apart along the axis (Z), which delimit at least three plate portions (17) arranged coplanar and aligned parallel to the axis (Z) and mechanically supported by the rib (8); each plate portion (17) being delimited axially by a pair of consecutive cuts (18) along the axis (Z); wherein the longitudinal lateral edges (11) of the plate (6, 7) are discontinuous, being interrupted by respective series of cuts (18) set along the lateral edges (11), each of the lateral edges (11) being interrupted in at least three or more longitudinal positions.
The radiator element according to Claim 1, wherein the series of cuts is formed by at least four cuts (18), set in succession along the axis (Z) and axially spaced apart along the axis (Z), which delimit at least four plate portions (17), arranged coplanar and aligned parallel to the axis (Z).
The radiator element according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein at least two cuts (18) of the series are set in a central area of the plate (17), the central area having a height along the axis (Z) equal to at least half of the overall height of the plate (6, 7).
The radiator element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lateral edges (11) are undulated or have recesses, and/or interruptions.
The radiator element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lateral edges (11) are undulated and are provided with respective series of cuts (18) that succeed one another along the lateral edges and are shaped so as to define respective concave recesses in the lateral edges.
The radiator element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cuts (18) extend between the two longitudinal opposite lateral edges (11) of the plate (6, 7) and traverse completely the plate in a transverse direction, separating the plate portions (17) from one another.
The radiator element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plate (6, 7) has pairs of opposite cuts (18), aligned perpendicular to the axis (Z), which extend from respective longitudinal lateral edges (11) of the plate towards one another and delimit the plate portions (17).
The radiator element according to Claim 7, wherein the cuts (18) of each pair are separated by a central tie or connection portion (20) that connects two consecutive plate portions (17).
The radiator element according to Claim 8, wherein the connection portions (20) are arranged coplanar to the plate portions (17).
The radiator element according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a front plate (6) and a rear plate (7), and wherein at least one between the front plate (6) and the rear plate (7), or both of said plates (6, 7) are formed by pluralities of plate portions (17).