EP2778558B1

EP2778558B1 - Modular heat exchange device for heating radiators

Info

Publication number: EP2778558B1
Application number: EP14160362.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: João Alfredo Silva Machado
Original assignee: Anergii - Unipessoal Lda
Current assignee: Anergii - Unipessoal Lda
Priority date: 2013-03-16
Filing date: 2014-03-17
Publication date: 2016-12-14
Anticipated expiration: 2034-03-17
Also published as: EP2778558A1

Description

Technical Field

The present disclosure refers to a modular heat exchange device for placing into radiator module or modules.
In more detail it comprises modular heat exchange device which can be added to radiators, in particular to room heating radiators and corresponding heat production in some cases further allowing reusing already installed radiators.

Background Art

Heating is the act of transferring heat energy to an object, or the energy of a material in the environment air. A heating system consumes energy that is returned as heat.
Comfort heating, is used to maintain or improve the conditions of a pleasant atmosphere to live in confined spaces which are spaces of life, such as buildings, interiors of means of transportation, swimming pools, among others. The goal of heating is to improve thermal comfort of a space of life.
A heating system necessarily includes, a heat source with a temperature higher than the space to heat. Thus the heat emitter allows an exchange of thermal energy between the heat source and the object, the material or the space to be heated. This emitter can be static or dynamic. The former transfers the heat by convection and/or radiation, whereas the latter uses a built-in ventilator which transfers the heat to the environment through air circulation, essentially using air as thermal exchange.
A heating system can also include, a heat storage system (thermal inertia).
Document ES2378791A1 discloses a modular heat exchange device for placing into a radiator module or modules, comprising two metallic or polymeric plates which include between said plates at least one resilient element for moving said plates apart, so that the plates contact said module or modules, when placed into said radiator module or modules, the modular heat exchange device further comprising an electric resistor and an electric connector. The present invention is an improvement of that product.
In order to guarantee environmental protection and a better energy use, heating products should integrate given technical parameters that nowadays are globally ignored, those being;

Exchange surface
Energy levels reduction
Reduced Delta T
Radiant heat infrared low temperature production
Energetic / thermal management with smart Proportional Control

Radiators made in aluminium alloy, in cast aluminium, cast iron and steel are specifically used for transmitting thermal dissipation through the circulation of a liquid (water or thermal fluid) via the hydraulic piping. Thus a series of radiators placed all over the house, usually one or more per compartment, is used. These radiators can be fed using electricity, gas, or diesel, and have been built so as to have heat dissipation surfaces which heat the air, causing convection currents which cross the compartment in which they are in.
One of the advantages of this system is that it can be installed in existing houses which do not have any type of heating solution. However in the case of electric thermal emitters building work is not necessary, while radiators connected to a gas, diesel or firewood boiler necessarily need building work. Both systems work with high temperatures which cause a heat diffusion by convection. As hot air rises, the effect of these convection currents are due to the fact that the ceiling gets hotter than the floor, thus creating hot and cold spots. One of the justifications for the convection is essentially due to when the body of the radiator when being warmed with water or thermal fluid coming from a boiler, suffers a resistance of internal friction, which causes a loss of thermal load and a significant temperature differential between the upper and the inferior part of the radiator.
Heat stratification, either along the radiator, or near the ceiling, and the high temperatures in the upper areas have several consequences:

Increased feeling of cold feet
Uncontrolled relative humidity of the air
Non-homogeneous heat distribution
Exaggerated energy consumption (fuel)
Pollution from the boiler due to burning of fuel expelled by the fireplace

Heating through water or another thermal fluid further has the inconvenient of having implications in the global functioning of the fluid system, not being able to be used for, for instance, only one single radiator. Due to this global functioning, heating one single radiator is relatively slower, for a same power, or a higher power is needed to obtain the same heating speed for one single radiator.
Heating through water or another thermal fluid still has the inconvenient of being subject to fluid temperature variations. For instance, if only part of a thermal fluid installation is operational when other part of the installation is put under load, the thermal fluid has the tendency to cool, even eventually with increased power supply to the circuit.

General Description

In view of these problems and with the purpose to overcome them, the present disclosure includes a modular heat exchange device, preferably an aluminium modular heat exchange device which allows temperature regulation of a radiator, having a heat exchange and energy dissipation surface, commonly in the form of infrared radiation in the high and low temperature frequency.
The present disclosure comprises a heat exchange module which can be placed into radiators to increase the heat to transfer in a place.
The examples which fall under the scope of the claims represent embodiments of the invention; all the others are reference examples.
The exchange module comprises two pieces (1) which are connected and which in its interior has two springs (2) and a PTC resistor (3). It further has a sealed connector (5) and two protecting caps (4) and (6).
When placing a system composed of several exchange modules which are connected through a cable and, whose side module is connected to the electric current, into the interior of a radiator, there will be a temperature transfer increase since besides the heat transferred by the radiator, the heat which is dissipated from the modules to the modular elements of the radiator will also be transmitted.
The present modular heat exchange device can have different shapes which allow it to fit into the majority of the existing heating radiators, promoting a temperature harmonisation in the whole surface of the radiator, in particular through fitting along the vertical of the radiator, thus guaranteeing a significant increase of energetic efficiency; as well as enabling an thermal energy dissipation in a much more efficient way through irradiation rather than convection, which originates a better heat distribution in the place to heat.
The device further allows complementing the heat supply capacity of a given installation via thermal fluid with electric power, given its capacity to heat single radiators in different ways.
The present disclosure describes an exchange module, preferably an extruded aluminium exchange module which is added to the interior of each modular element of the radiator, so as to turn the system into a hybrid system, that is, which allows it to work using electricity and/or using other type of fossil or renewable energy, for instance gas, water, among others. The exchange module is electricity connected and, through its components and surface slots of each plate which forms the exchange module, allows a homogenous and fast heat irradiation, together with the radiator which can reach the additional 40%.
In a preferred embodiment, each module is composed of two rectangular plates which preferentially have grooves, particularly male-female, and the inner part of each plate has a specific design for placing of for instance springs and resistor, in particular PTC resistor (Positive Temperature Coefficient).
Each module has a resilient element, composed for instance of two springs each on the lateral extreme end of the plate which serve to promote a good fitting near the opening between the modular elements of the radiator.
Thus, through the use of two independent plates and resilient element, it is possible to place the modules into different types of radiators which have different opening dimensions. In particular, it is possible to place exchange modules into bigger openings, such as the longitudinal openings of the radiator modules, usually vertical openings, in particular existing openings between radiator modules.
Thus, when using longitudinal openings of the radiator modules, it is possible to obtain a better thermal contact between exchange module and the radiator, since the modules of the radiator which are usually longitudinally extruded have highly flat longitudinal surfaces.
The electric heating generator element used are in particular self-regulating resistors having PTC "Positive Temperature Coefficient" which characterises the electric behaviour of the semiconductor resistor segment which is the basis of the heating element component. Each semiconductor element generates heat, in the same manner as a resistive wire in conventional resistance. The main difference is that the temperature rise increases PTC resistivity, and thus reduces the output power (P = V2 / R), creating an auto regulating phenomenon. There can be variations in power between 30 to 1500 Watts and 12 to 230 volts of electric tension. The PTC resistors are placed into the main hole of the exchange / heat sink module so as to, by means of thermal conductivity, the whole structure of the module captures the heat transfer generated by the PTC. The PTC is connected to the electric current, promoting the temperature transfer through the plates of each exchange module, being able to achieve temperatures between 25ºC and 150ºC, and regulated by an electronic digital regulation device which promotes temperature control management requested and provided according to the thermal load losses analysed and compared in the place to heat. This device enables an efficient energy saving management to be made through management protocols and parameters commercially available, such as Gifam and ZigBee. Management is also possible through a programming control via infrared, wireless or, alternatively, via mobile phone.
The exchange modules are all preferentially connected among themselves, through electric cables, having one sealed connector at their extreme ends (5). Once all devices are connected, an electric cable (as in Fig. 7) connects to the digital regulation device. Preferentially, the network connection and/or the connection to the digital regulation device is located on the lateral module (module which is the first or last of a series of interconnected modules).
Heat transfer occurs the moment when the lateral exchange module starts heating, carries the electric energy to the remaining modules so that the corresponding resistors produce heat and, by means of thermal conductivity thermal energy transfer of each module occurs up to the body of the radiator. The radiator generates heat through convection and irradiation to the environment to heat.
The choice of the preferential material is due to the fact that aluminium has thermal characteristics particularly adequate to the production of heat exchangers and has mechanical characteristics adequate to the extrusion. Another advantage is that the heat exchange module is made of extruded aluminium which allows the use of very thin metal which enables inducing an immediate transfer through heat conductivity and eliminating any thermal inertia. In a preferred embodiment, the exchange module can be produced in an aluminium alloy.
In another preferred embodiment, the exchange module can be composed of polymeric material.
In another preferred embodiment, the exchange module is composed of metallic plate.
It shall be added that, depending on the intended purpose, the number of exchange modules varies according to the size of the radiators. In some cases, the same number of exchange modules does not necessary need to be placed into according to the number of modular elements, characterised in that the system is a removable system.
It is described a modular heat exchange device for placing into radiator module or modules, comprising two metallic or polymeric plates (1) which include between said plates at least one resilient element (2) for moving said plates apart, so that the plates contact said module or modules, when placed into said radiator module or modules, an electric resistor (3), and an electric connector (5).
According to the invention, the resilient element comprises one spring or two springs (2).
In a preferred embodiment the spring or springs are helical, tension, compression, flat, or wave springs.
In a preferred embodiment the metallic plates are extruded aluminium metallic plates.
In a preferred embodiment the plates (1) are elongated plates for placing into radiator module or modules along the longitudinal openings of said module or modules.
In a preferred embodiment the extruded aluminium metallic plates comprise wavy slots which connect through male-female connection.
In a preferred embodiment the resistor is a PTC resistor (3).
In a preferred embodiment the device comprises protecting caps (4, 6), in particular on the longitudinal extreme end or ends of the plates (1).
In a preferred embodiment each plate internally comprises two slots to receive the springs (7); one slot (8) to receive the PTC (3); and one slot (9) to receive the protecting caps (4,6).
In a preferred embodiment the electric connector is a sealed electric connector (5).
In a preferred embodiment, this modular device being a modular device of a plurality of interconnected modular devices, the modules are interconnected through electric cables connected at the sealed electric connector (5).
In a preferred embodiment the modular device being the side modular device of a plurality of interconnected modular devices, the modular device is connected to an electronic digital temperature regulation device (12) which is in turn connected to the electrical grid.
In a preferred embodiment the electronic device (12) is manually controlled; through infrared control; or through home automation with Gifam, Zigbee, wireless protocol or mobile phone.
It is further described a heating radiator comprising at least one modular device of any of the above mentioned ones, in particular the heating radiator being for thermal fluid, in particular based in water or oil.
The disclosed embodiments are combinable.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The following figures are provided for an easier understanding of the technical field, and represent preferred embodiments that should however not be seen as limiting the object of the present disclosure.

Figure 1 - representation of an exchange module, wherein (1) is a plate; (2) a spring; (3) a PTC resistor; (4) protecting cap; (5) sealed electric connector; and (6) protecting cap.
Figure 2 - schematic representation of the plates of each module, wherein (7) is the slot to receive the spring; (8) is the slot to receive the PTC; and (9) is the slot to receive the protecting caps.
Figure 3 - schematic representation of the placement of the exchange modules, wherein (10) is the exchange module and (11) is the radiator with its radiator modules.
Figure 4A - schematic representation of the complete assembly of the system, wherein (10) is the exchange module; (11) modular elements of the radiator; (12) the electronic digital regulation device; (13) return pipe of the hydraulic system and (14) inlet pipe of the hydraulic system.
Figure 4B - additional view of the preferred embodiment as in Fig. 4A.
Figure 5A - schematic representation of the assembly of the system in the radiator through the upper part, wherein (10) is the exchange module; (11) the modular elements of the radiator and (12) the electronic digital regulation device.
Figures 5B and 5C - additional views of the preferred embodiment as in Fig. 5A.
Figure 6A - schematic representation of the assembly of the system in the radiator through the bottom part, wherein (10) is the exchange module; (11) modular elements of the radiator and (12) the electronic digital regulation device.
Figures 6B and 6C - additional views of the preferred embodiment as in Fig. 6A.
Figure 7 - schematic representation of the electric cable which connects to the digital regulation device, wherein (13) is the electric cable connector and (14) the electric cable.

Detailed Description

A preferred embodiment consists of a heat exchange module which can be placed into radiators to increase the heat to transfer in a place. The exchange module comprises two pieces (1) which are connected and which in its interior has two springs (2) and a PTC resistor (3). It further has a sealed connector (5) and two protecting caps (4) and (6).
When placing a system composed of several exchange modules which are connected through a cable and, whose side module is connected to the electric current, into the interior of a radiator, there will be a temperature transfer increase since besides the heat transferred by the radiator, the heat which is dissipated from the modules to the modular elements of the radiator will also be transmitted.
In a preferred embodiment, the exchange / heat sink module has two extruded aluminium plates with wavy slots at the surface. The slots which promote a dissipation surface and heat thermal exchange increase have a 180 degrees angle so as to irradiate with higher amplitude and so that a larger action field is obtained. The plates (1) are cut with the same dimension and in one of the plates the springs (2) are fitted into the slots to receive the springs (7) and PTC (3) in the slot (8) to receive the PTC (3).
After that the two plates are fitted into through pressing force until they form one single module (10). Subsequently the finishing protection caps at the tops (4 and 6) and the sealed connector (5) are placed into. So that the exchange module is fitted into, the module shall be pressed and placed into the existing space between two radiator modular elements, until it is completely fitted into (see Fig. 3). After that pressing stops and the exchange module gets stuck by expansion force of the internal springs and stays in contact with the modular elements. The exchange modules are interconnected through electric cables (as in Fig. 7). The sealed connector (5) of each module connects to the cable through the electric cable connector (13). The exchange / heat sink module which is in one of the extreme ends of the radiator, either left or right, connects through a cable to the digital regulation control (13), being able to be regulated. When connecting the radiator and the exchange modules system, the radiator will emit heat it produces as well as the one which is transferred by the exchange modules system, as in Fig. 4, 5 and 6, thus being obtained a significant increase in a more reduced period of time.
In a preferred embodiment, the heat exchange module for radiator modular elements has two extruded aluminium plates (1) with wavy slots which connect through male-female connection and which comprise two springs (2) in their inner part; a PTC resistor (3); (4) protecting cap; a sealed electric connector (5) and another protecting cap (6).
In a preferred embodiment each plate internally comprises two slots to receive the springs (7); one slot (8) to receive the PTC (3) and one slot (9) to receive the protecting caps (4,6).
In a preferred embodiment, the exchange module is to be interconnected to other modules through electric cables connected at the sealed electric connector (5).
In a preferred embodiment the exchange module is to be placed into the radiator, between the modular elements, to acquire the same thickness as the radiator opening through springs expansion.
In a preferred embodiment the exchange module is to be fitted into the inner part of the radiator, between the modular elements.
In a preferred embodiment the exchange module can function without the heating radiator being turned on.
In a preferred embodiment the exchange module is comprised in a removable system.
The disclosure is of course not in any way restricted to the embodiments described in this document and a person with ordinary skill in the art will foresee many possibilities to modifications thereof without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.
The disclosed embodiments are combinable. The following claims set out particular embodiments of the invention.

Claims

Modular heat exchange device for placing into radiator module or modules, comprising two metallic or polymeric plates (1) which include between said plates at least one resilient element (2) for moving said plates apart, so that the plates contact said module or modules, when placed into said radiator module or modules, an electric resistor (3), and an electric connector (5),
characterized in that the resilient element comprises one spring or two springs (2).
Modular device according to the previous claim wherein the spring or springs are helical, tension, compression, flat, or wave springs.
Modular device according to any of the previous claims wherein the metallic plates are extruded aluminium metallic plates.
Modular device according to any of the previous claims wherein the plates (1) are elongated plates for placing into radiator module or modules along the longitudinal openings of said module or modules, so that the plates contact said module or modules, when placed into said radiator module or modules.
Modular device according to the previous claim and claim 3 wherein the extruded aluminium metallic plates comprise wavy slots which connect through male-female connection.
Modular device according to any of the previous claims wherein the resistor is a PTC resistor (3).
Modular device according to any of the previous claims further comprising protecting caps (4, 6), in particular on the longitudinal extreme end or ends of the plates (1).
Modular device according to claims 1, 4 and 5 wherein each plate internally comprises two slots to receive the springs (7), and one slot (18) to receive the PTC (3), and one slot (9) to receive the protecting caps (4,6).
Modular device according to any of the previous claims wherein the electric connector is a sealed electric connector (5).
Modular device according to the previous claim wherein the modules are interconnected through electric cables connected at the sealed electric connector (5).
Modular device according to any of the previous claims wherein, the modular device being the side modular device of a plurality of interconnected modular devices, the modular device is connected to an electronic digital temperature regulation device (12) which is in turn connected to the electrical grid.
Modular device according to any the previous claim wherein the electronic device (12) is manually controlled through infrared control or through home automation with Gifam, Zigbee, wireless protocol or mobile phone.
Heating radiator comprising at least one modular device of any of the claims 1-12.
Heating radiator according to the previous claim comprising piping for thermal fluid, in particular water or oil.