GB2214286A

GB2214286A - Convector radiator

Info

Publication number: GB2214286A
Application number: GB8820849A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alastair Ian Morrison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-12-31
Filing date: 1988-09-05
Publication date: 1989-08-31
Also published as: GB8730362D0; GB8820849D0

Abstract

A convector radiator comprises a heat exchanger formed from a vertically spaced series of heat exchanging pipes (28, 30, 32) connected between flow and return pipes (22, 24) which are in turn connectable to a central heating system. A secondary means of heating the water in the radiator is provided by an electric water heater (36) which communicates with the lowermost tube (32). In another embodiment the pipes are connected serially and arranged in serpentine fashion between the flow and return pipes. <IMAGE>

Description

Biavalent - convectar Rahitbr The present invention relates to an improved convector radiator for use in a central heating system and is particularly, but not exclusively, intended for use in solid fuel central heating systems.

It is a problem common to many conventional central heating systems that it is necessary to heat up a relatively large reservoir of water before individual radiators begin to provide heat to the premises in which the system is installed. This is a particular problem with solid fuel systems in a domestic environment, where it is often the case that a home is cold first thing in the morning or upon returning from a day's work. Hitherto, the only way of avoiding this has been for the occupant to "bank up" the heating boiler overnight or during the day, however this is obviously extremely wasteful of fuel.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid disadvantages.

In accordance with the invention, a convector radiator comprises a heat exchanger connectable to a central heating system via flow and return pipes, said heat exchanger having electric water heating means connected thereto whereby water contained in the heat exchanger may be heated independently of said central heating system.

Preferably, said heat exchanger comprises a series of vertically spaced, horizontally extending heat exchanging pipes having a plurality of radiating surfaces extending therefrom connected between said flow and return pipes.

Preferably also, said electric water heater comprises a tube enclosing an electric heating element and connected to the lowermost of said series of heat exchanging pipes at first and second points along the length thereof.

Preferably also, said heat exchanging pipes are connected in parallel between said flow and return pipes.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, said heat exchanging pipes are connected serially between said flow and return pipes. In this case it is further preferred that the heat exchanging pipes are arranged in serpentine fashion, the lowermost thereof being connected to the flow pipe and the uppermost being connected to the return pipe.

It is further particularly preferred that the heat exchanging pipes take the form of noltubes.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the outer cabinet of a convector radiator embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the heat exchanger of the radiator of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end view of the radiator of Figs. 1 and 2 with an end panel of the outer cabinet removed; and Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are, respectively, side, end and top views of a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a cabinet 10 of a convector radiator might typically comprise a front panel 12, two wooden end panels 14, a backplate 16, a top grille 18 of longitudinally extending slats and a bottom grille 20 (see Fig. 3) of expanded metal.

Figs. 2 and 3 show the interior of the cabinet 10.

The heat exchanger of the radiator comprises vertical flow and return pipes 22 and 24 located adjacent opposite side edges of the backplate 16 and extending substantially the full height thereof. The bottom ends of the pipes 22 and 24 extend out of the cabinet 10 and may be provided with any suitable connecting means for connection to the plumbing of a central heating system. A series of four vertically spaced, horizontal heat exchanging pipes, 26, 28, 30, 32, having radiator fins or surfaces 33 projecting outwardly therefrom, are connected in parallel between the flow and return pipes 22 and 24.It is particularly preferred that the heat exchanging pipes 26, 28, 30, 32 are of the type known in the art as "noltubes", wherein the "fins" 33 take the form of a large number of relatively fine copper tines or bristles soldered to the pipes and arranged in a spiral fashion along the length thereof. The pipes themselves are also of copper. This arrangement breaks up the laminar flow of air across the radiating surfaces and prevents the accumulation of an air film resistance which impairs the efficiency of conventional planar radiating fins or surfaces. In the following, the term "noltube" denotes such an arrangement and includes other similar types of heat exchanger known in the art.An arrangement of noltubes of this type provides a highly efficient heat exchanger, allowing a central heating system to be run with hot water at a temperature as low as 400C to 450C, as compared with typical running temperatures of around 700C.

In normal use, the radiator is provided with hot water pumped from a central boiler, however it is additionally provided with an electric water heater 34 comprising an incloy sheathed electric heating element 36 enclosed in a copper tube 38. The heater 34 extends parallel with and is connected to the lowermost noltube 32 at first and second points along the length thereof by pipes 40 and screw threaded unions 42. The interior of the copper tube 38 is thus in communication with the pipework of the heat exchanger.

The element 36 is electrically connected to a mains connector block 44 via control and limit thermostats 46 and 48 mounted on the return pipe 24, and an air vent 50 is fitted to the top end of the flow pipe 22 to allow air to be dispersed from the heat exchanger when required. The power rating of the element will typically be in the range 1/2 to 3 1/2 kW, depending on the size of the radiators.

In a central heating system comprising a number of radiators, the water heaters 34 thereof may be connected to the mains supply via any desired control devices, including programmable timeclocks and the like, allowing complete flexibility of operation. The heaters 34 allow the radiators to be operated independently of the central boiler and pump of the system, the water contained in the heat exchanger being heated by the heater 34 and circulating in the heat exchanger by convection. Very little heat escapes to the external plumbing and the heater 34 is also readily detachable for maintenance or replacement.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention. In this case there are three horizontal noltubes 52, 54 and 56, the flow pipe 58 being connected to one end of the lowermost noltube 52, to which an electric water heater 60 is connected as before via pipes 62 and unions 64. As shown, the noltubes 52, 54, 56 are serially connected to one another and to the flow and return pipes 58 and 66, and are arranged in serpentine fashion, such that only the lowermost noltube 52 is connected to the flow pipe 58 and only the uppermost noltube 56 to the return pipe 66.

An electrical connector block 68, air vent 70 and control thermostat 72 are all included as before, however in this example the control thermostat 74 is mounted on the heater 60. The parts of the cabinet are numbered as for Figs. 1 to 3.

The electrical heaters 34 and 60 thus provide a secondary means of heating the radiator independently of the central boiler (hence "biavalent" radiator), allowing greater convenience and economy in the use of central heating systems. The preferred design of the heat exchangers enhances the efficiency of the heaters 34 and 60 and of the system generally since they can be run at a relatively low temperature (as mentioned above).

Furthermore, they contain less than ten percent of the water content of a comparable steel panel radiator, allowing them to be brought up to temperature even more quickly.

The radiator is particularly envisaged for domestic, solid fuel systems, but may also be used advantageously in other situations where overnight heating is required and cheap rate electricity tariffs can be exploited, such as hospitals, hotels, old people's homes, police stations, factories, offices etc.

Claims

Ciaims

1. A convector radiator comprising a heat exchanger connectable to a central heating system via flow and return pipes, said heat exchanger having electric water heating means connected thereto whereby water contained in the heat exchanger may be heated independently of said central heating system.

2. A convector radiator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat exchanger comprises a series of vertically spaced, horizontally extending heat exchanging pipes having a plurality of radiating surfaces extending therefrom connected between said flow and return pipes.

3. A convector radiator as claimed in claim 2, wherein said electric water heater comprises a tube enclosing an electric heating element and connected to the lowermost of said series of heat exchanging pipes at first and second points along the length thereof.

4. A convector radiator as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said heat exchanging pipes are connected in parallel between said flow and return pipes.

5. A convector radiator as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said heat exchanging pipes are connected serially between said flow and return pipes.

6. A convector radiator as claimed in claim 5, wherein said heat exchanging pipes are arranged in serpentine fashion, the lowermost thereof being connected to the flow pipe and the uppermost being connected to the return pipe.

7. A convector radiator as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6 wherein said heat exchanging pipes comprise noltubes.

8. A convector radiator as claimed in any preceding claim, further including control thermostat means.

9. A convector radiator as claimed in claim 8, wherein said control thermostat means is mounted on said return pipe.

10. A convector radiator as claimed in any preceding claim further including limit thermostat means.

11. A convector radiator as claimed in claim 10, wherein said control thermostat means is mounted on said return pipe.

12. A convector radiator as claimed in claim 10, wherein said control thermostat means is mounted on said electric water heater.

13. A convector radiator as claimed in any preceding claim further including air ves whereby air may be dispersed from the heat exchanger.

14. A convector radiator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said heat exchanger and electric water heater are enclosed in a cabinet, said cabinet being open at a topmost surface thereof.

15. A convector radiator substantially as herein before described with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A convector radiator substantially as herein before described with reference to Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.