FR2878024A1 - Passenger compartment heating device for public transport vehicle e.g. motor bus, has profiled units with longitudinal inner channels comprising longitudinal ribs, and hood extending form one unit and maintained by fixing console - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has profiled units (2) with longitudinal upper and lower inner channels (5, 6) comprising walls (7, 8) with longitudinal ribs. The units are connected by an intermediate part and mounted between terminal parts. An angle conduit box permits to change the direction of the units. A hood (24) extending from the unit (2) has upper and lower longitudinal edges maintained by upper and lower parts of a fixing console (13).

Description

The present invention relates to compound heating devices

  elements connectable to a hot fluid circuit, these elements being thus, in operation, traveled themselves by the hot fluid, and thus allowing the rise of the ambient temperature, in the volume where they

  are installed. Such heating devices by circulation of a hot fluid are intended, in particular, for heating the passenger compartment of public transport vehicles, such as buses and coaches, which vehicles are equipped with a boiler producing the hot fluid needed.

  Heating devices by circulation of a hot fluid are in fact mounted mainly in public transport vehicles, such as coaches, their linear configuration to install them in one piece on a full part of a vehicle of this genre. More particularly, these heaters are positioned "plinth" near the floor, against a vertical wall of the vehicle. These heaters are supplied with hot fluid by pipes coming out of the floor or the vertical wall of the vehicle, these pipes being themselves connected by flexible hoses, tightened by means of collars, to the boiler which supplies the hot fluid .

  Heating devices of this type, currently used, are made on the basis of finned tubes. These are generally copper tubes, on which are fixed by crimping aluminum fins, all being protected by a sheet metal housing. The elements of the sheet metal housing are cut in such a way as to allow air to pass from bottom to top. The air is heated by conduction effect, crossing the heating device from below upwards, and it diffuses into the ambient air according to the principle of convection. Thus, the air near the heater is warmed and, becoming lighter than the ambient air, it rises upward and is replaced by colder air, which is in turn warmed by the device. and rises too. A convection loop is formed, which is also referred to as a "convection cell".

  Although the present heating devices, here mentioned, can be considered relatively effective, they retain disadvantages, from the point of view of their manufacture and their implementation.

  In particular, the assembly of tubes and fins remains a delicate operation, which requires complex machines, and the production of sheet metal protective housings complicates and increases the manufacturing. Each element of the heater must be connected to the hot fluid circuit independently, and the connections must be made by plumbing elements.

  The present invention aims to eliminate all of these disadvantages, by providing a heating device by circulation of a hot fluid, of the kind in question here, whose manufacture and installation are greatly facilitated and made more economical, while improving the operating conditions.

  For this purpose, the invention relates to a heating device by circulation of a hot fluid, comprising at least one element connectable to a hot fluid circuit, this element being itself, in operation, traversed by the hot fluid , this heating device being essentially characterized in that the or each aforementioned element is constituted by an extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy profile, with longitudinal internal channels intended to be traversed by the hot fluid, the or each profiled element being mounted between end or intermediate parts for reconnecting this element to the hot fluid circuit or for connecting such profiled elements to each other.

  Thus, in the heating device object of the invention, a simple extruded profile, aluminum or aluminum alloy, replaces the traditional tube and the fins usually crimped on this tube, the extruded profile thus forming a single body complete heating. The length of the profile determines the length of the heating device, this device may result from two or more profiles located in the extension of one another, to form a device of relatively large length. The end pieces, assembled at the ends of the profiled elements, supply the latter with hot fluid, distributing the fluid in the various internal channels of the profiled elements. The intermediate pieces are designed for the connection of two profiled elements placed in the extension of one another, and they ensure the continuity of the passage of the hot fluid between the internal channels of a profiled element and the internal channels of the following profiled element. These end pieces and intermediate are made of plastic injection molded.

  There is thus obtained a heating device by circulation of a hot fluid which has a modular character, in which the heating elements 2878024 3 are obtained directly by cutting the profiled elements to the desired length, and in which the connection of the profiled elements to fluid circuit, and if necessary between them, is conveniently achieved through specially designed terminal and intermediate parts.

  The end pieces and / or the intermediate pieces may further contain control or regulating components of the heating device, such as solenoid valves, manual valves, thermostats, temperature probes and other sensors.

  The end pieces with function of connection to the hot fluid circuit, have at least one fluid inlet and / or at least one fluid outlet, which can be located on the bottom, the rear or the side of the end piece.

  According to a first design, it is associated with one or more profiled elements, a first end piece with a fluid inlet, and a second end piece, located opposite the first, with a fluid outlet. All the internal channels of the profiled element or elements are thus traversed in one and the same direction by the hot fluid.

  According to another design, it is associated with one or more profiled elements, a first end piece with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and a second end piece, located opposite the first, which receives the fluid brought by certain internal channels of the profile or profiles, in connection with the fluid inlet of the first end piece, and which returns this fluid in the other internal channels of the profile or profiles, in connection with the fluid outlet of the first piece terminal. In this case, some internal channels of the profiled element or elements are traversed by the hot fluid in the "out" direction, while the other internal channels are traversed by the same fluid in the "return" direction, all the connections (of inlet and outlet of the fluid) being made at the same end of the heating device.

  As for the intermediate pieces, they can be presented as intermediate boxes, performing the assembly of two profiled elements placed one in the extension of the other, with communication of their respective respective internal channels. However, the intermediate pieces can also be designed as corner boxes, making the assembly of two profiled elements arranged at an angle, for example a right angle, relative to each other, which allows to "follow" different vehicle configurations, for example to "follow" the end of the passenger compartment of a public transport vehicle (particular example: rear platform of such a vehicle).

  The extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy profile elements comprise, in a preferred embodiment, a plurality of parallel internal channels located substantially in the same substantially vertical plane, channels whose walls are directly contiguous or connected by connecting bridges. material.

  The internal channel walls advantageously have ribs or longitudinal fins, coming directly from extrusion, which increases the heat exchange surface with air, without complication.

  The or each profiled element constitutes a rigid heating body, which can be easily fixed against a support wall by means of brackets, which cling to the base and the top of the profiled element arranged in a generally horizontal direction, in a vertical plane.

  A cover is advantageously placed in front of the profiled element, this cover can be held at its lower part and / or at its upper part by the same brackets as the profiled element.

  During operation, the internal channels of the profiled element being traversed by the hot fluid, the device operates according to the principle of air convection. In addition, part of the heat emitted by the heating body is captured by the hood which, in turn, dissipates this heat by radiation; the cover is positioned so as to receive enough heat from the heater to obtain effective radiation, while avoiding that this cover causes, in the event of contact, burns to the users of the vehicle. Another part of the heat emitted by the heating body is transmitted by radiation to the wall on which the heating device is fixed, this wall then acting as a radiator.

  More particularly, with regard to convection, the heating device that is the subject of the invention can use only "natural" convection. However, according to another possibility, this heating device uses "forced" convection, at least one fan being mounted under the profiled element, or at the lower part of this profiled element, to increase the flow of circulating air. in contact with the heating body. The addition of fans is advantageous in the use of the heater in places where "natural" convection would be insufficient, for example near the doors of a public transport vehicle, or near windows in other types of buildings. applications.

  In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing showing, by way of examples, some embodiments of this device for heating by circulation of a fluid. hot.

  Figure 1 is a partial exploded perspective view of a heating device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is another partial perspective view of this heating device, in the assembled state; Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the heating device of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a front view of an intermediate piece for such a heater; Figure 5 is a front view of a terminal poem for such a heater; Figure 6 is a front view of a corner box piece for such a heater; Figure 7 is a plan view from above of the corner box of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a very schematic view of a heating device according to the invention, comprising a single profiled element; Figure 9 is a highly diagrammatic plan view of another heating device of the invention having a plurality of heating elements and a corner box; Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view, similar to Figure 3, of a heater according to the invention, with fan; Figure 11 is a sectional view similar to the previous, illustrating an alternative heating device with fan; Figures 12 to 15 are vertical sectional views which further illustrate other variants of the heating device object of the invention.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 8, a simple heating device, according to the invention, is arranged in a horizontal general direction and consists of a profiled element 2, a first end piece 3 connected to a end of the profiled element 2, and a second end piece 4 connected to the other end of the profiled element 2.

  The profiled element 2, made of aluminum or aluminum alloy and formed by extrusion, extends generally in a vertical plane, between the two end pieces 3 and 4. This profiled element 2 comprises, in the illustrated example, three upper internal channels 5 and three lower internal channels 6. The walls 7 of the three upper channels 5 are directly contiguous, as well as the walls 8 of the three lower channels 6. The set of upper channels 5 is connected to all lower channels 6 by a double bridge 9 intermediate material. The respective walls 7 and 8 of the upper channels 5 and lower channels 6 are provided externally with longitudinal ribs 10, directly extruded.

  The profiled element 2 still has a double longitudinal fin 11, on its upper edge, and another longitudinal double fin 12, on its lower edge. Fastening brackets 13, only one of which is shown, are each pinched, by an upper portion 14 in the form of a hook, the upper longitudinal double fin 11 of the profiled element 2 and, by a lower portion 15 also shaped hook, the lower longitudinal double fin 12 of the profiled element 2. Each bracket 13 is provided to be fixed against a vertical support wall, not shown, which belongs for example to a public transport vehicle people.

  The first end piece 3 (see in particular FIG. 1) has, at its lower part, a fluid inlet 16 in communication with three upper lateral connectors 17; this first end piece 3 still has, at its lower part, a fluid outlet 18 in communication with three lower lateral connectors 19. The first end piece 3 is fixed to one end of the profiled element 2, so that its three upper connections 17 are respectively located in the outlets of the three upper channels 5 of the profiled element 2, and that its three lower connections 19 engage respectively in the outlets of the three lower channels 6 of the profiled element 2.

  The second end piece 4, clearly visible in FIG. 5, has three upper lateral connectors 20, which through an internal channel 21 of this end piece 4 communicate with three lower lateral connectors 22. The second end piece 4 is fixed at the end the profiled element 2 opposite that receiving the first end piece 3, so that its three upper connections 20 respectively engage in the outlets of the three upper channels 5 of the profiled element 2, and that its three lower connections 22 engage respectively in the outlets of the three lower channels 6 of the profiled element 2.

  The two end pieces 3 and 4 are made of plastic injection molded. The respective connectors 17, 19 and 20, 22 5 receive seals, here not detailed.

  In the illustrated example, the first end piece 3 has an integrated cabinet 23 which can house control or regulation components, such as: solenoid valves, manual valves, thermostats, temperature probes or other types of sensors.

  The heating device further comprises, in front of the profiled element 2, that is to say on the side opposite to the fixing brackets 13, a hood 24 of rounded profile, which extends at a certain distance from the element 2. The upper longitudinal edge 25 of the cover 24 is held by the upper part 14 of the fixing brackets 13, and the lower longitudinal edge 26 of the cover 24 is held by a fixed flange, by means of a screw 28, to the base of fixing brackets 13.

  It is thus constituted a heating device of length determined by that of the profiled element 2. This heating device being fixed by means of the consoles 13 against a support wall, the fluid inlet 16 of the first end piece 3 is connected to a conduit for supplying hot fluid from a boiler, and the fluid outlet 18 of the first end piece 3 is connected to a conduit for returning the fluid to the boiler.

  Thus, in operation, the hot fluid that reaches the inlet 18 of the first end piece 3 is distributed in the three upper channels 5 of the profiled element 2, which it travels in a given direction (arrow F1). Arrived at the opposite end of the profiled element 2, the fluid is returned by the second end piece 4 in the three lower channels 6 of the profiled element 2, which it travels in the opposite direction (arrow F2). Returned to the first end piece 3, the fluid escapes through the outlet 18. Thus circulating in the channels 5 and 6 of the profiled element 2, the fluid gives up its heat to the walls 7 and 8 of these channels, walls which they themselves give their heat to the surrounding air, this heat transfer being favored by the ribs 10. Heating and an upward circulation of the air are thus established by conduction and convection effect. ci, between the profiled element 2 and the hood 24, the air entering the base of the heating device and leaving the top, where it diffuses into the ambient air. In addition, the heat emitted by the profiled element 2 is transmitted by radiation on the one hand to the support wall on which it is fixed, which wall then acts as a radiator, and this heat is, on the other hand, captured by the cover 24 which in turn dissipates it, which further increases the efficiency of the heater.

  With reference to FIGS. 4, 6, 7 and 9, additional parts make it possible to constitute heating devices composed of several profiled elements 2, which optionally form an angle. In particular, FIG. 4 shows an intermediate piece 29, adapted for connecting two profiled elements 2 (similar to that described above) arranged one in the extension of the other, so as to constitute a heating device longer length. The intermediate piece 29 is in the form of a box, provided with connectors 30 and 31 respectively on two opposite lateral faces, the corresponding connectors being put in communication by internal channels 32. Thus, the intermediate piece 29 can be inserted between two profiled elements 2 , its connections 30 engaging in the outlets of the channels 5 and 6 of a first profiled element 2, and its other connectors 31 engaging in the outlets of the channels 5 and 6 of a second profiled element 2, located in the extension of the first.

  Figures 6 and 7 show an angle box 33, which allows a change of direction, especially at right angles, successive profiled elements 2 of the same heating device. Corner box 33 is provided with connectors 34 and 35, respectively, on two adjacent lateral faces, the corresponding connectors being placed in communication by internal channels 36 which form a horizontal bend. The connectors 34 are engaged in the outlets of the channels 5 and 6 of a first profiled element 2. The other connectors 35 are engaged in the outlets of the channels 5 and 6 of a second profiled element 2, disposed at right angles to the first.

  FIG. 9 illustrates, by way of example, a combination of the various possibilities described above, making it possible to form a heating device composed of three profiled elements 2, connected by an intermediate piece 29 and an angle piece 33, of so as to form (viewed in plan from above) an elbow "L", with two end pieces 3 and 4.

  In a variant not illustrated, but easily conceivable, a heating device comprising one or more profiled elements 2, such as that described above, has internal channels all traversed in the same direction by the hot fluid. In this case, the heating body constituted by one or more profiled elements has at one end a first end piece provided only with a fluid inlet, and has at its opposite end a second similar end piece, provided only with an opening. fluid outlet.

  Figure 10, in which the components and parts similar to those previously described are designated by the same numerical references, represents a heating device equipped with a ventilation module 37, mounted under the profiled element 2 traversed by the hot fluid. The ventilation module 37 comprises a motor-fan unit 38, housed in a casing 39 fixed without the profiled element 2 and the cover 24. The motor-fan unit 38, here with tangential type fan, sends a flow of air ascending which flows between the profiled element 2 and the hood 24, thus replacing the "natural" convection by a "forced" convection.

  FIG. 11 illustrates a variant of the heating device of FIG. 10, still provided at its base with a ventilation module 37. The latter comprises, housed in a housing 39 fixed under the profiled element 2, a fan assembly 38 here with fan of axial type, creating as before a "forced" convection.

  The following figures further illustrate other variants of the heating device object of the invention, with or without a fan.

  The heating device of FIG. 12 comprises a profiled element 2 whose inner channels 5 have walls 7 all directly contiguous. The cover 24 is here extended downwards and also covers the motor-fan unit 38, which eliminates any auxiliary casing.

  The heating device of FIG. 13 comprises a profiled element 2 whose internal channels 5 have relatively thick walls 7, which form on the two faces of the element 2 longitudinal fins 40 situated substantially at the level of each channel. 5. The hood 24 has, at its base, an opening 41 for the entry of air, and at its top, another opening 42 for the exit of air, which rises by heating up on contact fins 40.

  The heating device of FIG. 14 also comprises a profiled element 2 with relatively thick walls, forming fins 40 on both sides. The cover 24 is here made in one piece with the profiled element 2, this cover 24 having inner fins 43 and outer ribs 44. Suitable openings, at the base and at the top of the element 2, allow the upward circulation of air.

  Finally, the heating device of FIG. 15 is also provided with a cover 24 made in one piece with the profiled element 2. This has walls 7 of relatively small thickness, extended by fins 40 only towards the before. This second figure also shows how the motor-fan unit 38 can be directly attached to the part constituted by the element 2 and the cover 24.

  It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of this heating device by circulation of a hot fluid which have been described above, as examples; it embraces, on the contrary, all variants of implementation and application respecting the same principle.

  It is thus, in particular, that one would not depart from the scope of the invention: - by modifying the forms of detail of the profiled elements, as well as the terminal and intermediate parts, for example by realizing these elements and others parts with a greater or lesser number of internal channels; - By arranging these profiled elements and other parts in any configuration, depending on the volume to be heated; - by providing, in particular in the terminal and / or intermediate parts, or in a separate box, all the control or regulation components of the heating device: solenoid valves, manual valves, thermostats, temperature probes, fan controls, etc. in the case where a fan is provided, providing that the fan can be of axial or tangential type, actuated automatically or manually; supplying the heating device with any appropriate heat transfer fluid: water, oil, etc .; by assigning this heating device to all kinds of uses: road vehicles for public transport of people such as buses and coaches, rail vehicles such as railway cars and trams, motor homes, boats, or even applications to fixed constructions, in the form of a heating baseboard. 35

Claims (1)

CLAIMS,   1. Heating device by circulation of a hot fluid, intended in particular for heating the passenger compartment of passenger transport vehicles, and comprising at least one element connectable to a hot fluid circuit, this element being itself same, in operation, traversed by the hot fluid, characterized in that the or each element (2) above is constituted by an aluminum profile or extruded aluminum alloy, with longitudinal internal channels (5, 6) intended to be traversed by the hot fluid, the or each profiled element (2) being mounted between end pieces (3, 4) or intermediate (29, 33) for the connection of this element to the hot fluid circuit or for the connection of such elements profiles (2) between them.   2. Heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the end pieces (3, 4) and intermediate (29, 33) are made of plastic injection molded.   Heating device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the end pieces (3, 4) and / or the intermediate pieces (29) contain control or regulating components (23) of the heating device, such as solenoid valves, manual valves, thermostats, temperature probes and other sensors.   4. Heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the end pieces (3, 4), function of connection to the hot fluid circuit, have at least one fluid inlet (16) and or at least one fluid outlet (18) located on the underside, back or side of the end piece (3, 4).   5. Heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is associated with one or more profiled elements (2), a first end piece (3) with a fluid inlet, and a second end piece (4), located opposite the first, with a fluid outlet, all the internal channels (5, 6) of the profiled element (s) (2) being also traversed in one and the same direction by the hot fluid.   6. Heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is associated with one or more profiled elements (2), a first end piece (3) with a fluid inlet (16). and a fluid outlet (18), and a second end piece (4), located opposite the first, which receives the fluid supplied by certain internal channels (5) of the one or more profiles (2), in connection with the fluid inlet (16) of the first end piece (3), and which returns this fluid in the other internal channels (6) of the one or more profiled elements (2), in connection with the fluid outlet (18) of the first end piece (3), some internal channels (5) of the one or more profiled elements (2) being thus traversed by the hot fluid in the "out" direction (F1), whereas the other internal channels (6) are traversed by the same fluid in the "return" direction (F2).   7. Heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the intermediate parts are in the form of intermediate boxes (29), forming two profiled elements (2) placed one in the extension of the other, with communication of their respective internal channels (5, 6) corresponding.   8. Heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the intermediate parts are designed as corner boxes (33), making the assembly of two profiled elements (2) arranged forming a angle, for example a right angle, relative to each other.   9. Heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the profile elements (2) of aluminum or extruded aluminum alloy comprise a plurality of internal channels (5, 6), parallel, located substantially in the same substantially vertical plane, channels whose walls (7, 8) are directly contiguous or joined by material bridges (9).   10. Heating device according to claim 9, characterized in that the walls (7, 8) of the inner channels (5, 6) have ribs (10) or longitudinal fins (40), coming directly from extrusion.   11. Heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the or each profiled element (2) is fixed against a support wall by means of brackets (13), which cling to the base ( 12) and at the top (11) of the profiled element (2) disposed in a generally horizontal direction, in a vertical plane.   12. Heating device according to claim 11, characterized in that a cover (24) is placed in front of the profiled element (2), the cover (24) can be held at its lower part and to its upper part, by the same consoles (13) as the profiled element (2).   13. Heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one fan (37, 38, 39) is mounted under the profiled element (2), or at the lower part of this profiled element (2), to increase the flow of air flowing in contact with the heating body.