GB2312037A

GB2312037A - Connection between thermal head and valve

Info

Publication number: GB2312037A
Application number: GB9607336A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Henry Howland; Kenneth Moffitt
Original assignee: BLUE CIRCLE HEATING Ltd
Current assignee: BLUE CIRCLE HEATING Ltd
Priority date: 1996-04-09
Filing date: 1996-04-09
Publication date: 1997-10-15
Anticipated expiration: 2016-04-09
Also published as: GB2312037B; GB9607336D0

Abstract

A low surface temperature radiator comprises a heat radiator 9 encased in an outer casing 11, the heat radiator 9 comprising an adjustable radiator valve 1 for controlling fluid flow through the heat radiator 1. The adjustable radiator valve 1 has a valve housing with a centrally disposed operating spindle (5, figure 1) for operating the valve 1. A housing extension member 7 is mounted on the valve 1 and arranged to extend through the outer casing 11. A spindle extension member 8 is disposed in the housing extension member 7 in operating relationship with the operating spindle (5). A thermostatic radiator valve thermal head 6 is mounted on the housing extension member and operable on the spindle extension member 8 for controlling the radiator valve 1.

Description

Heat Radiators This invention relates to heat radiators and more specifically to so-called low surface temperature heat radiators.

The surface temperature of standard central heating radiators can often be as high as 80"C. In everyday use this is not normally a problem. However, should a person fall unconscious on to such a radiator, or is unable to move away from it quickly, unpleasant burns can result, even after a relatively few seconds. In order to overcome this problem socalled low surface temperature radiators are being used. These consist of a normal central heating radiator encased within an enclosure which ideally also encases any exposed pipework and the radiator valve. By this means the temperature of the enclosure can be restricted, typically, to about 40 maximum.

Such low surface temperature radiators are normally controlled by a thermostatic radiator valve which may, for example, be of the remote adjustable type, or my be integrally controlled as is disclosed in GB 2259758, which discloses an adjustable radiator valve connected to the heat emitter, a thermostatic radiator valve thermal head mounted on the enclosure, with a thermostatic radiator valve extension kit comprising respective bellows units attached to the radiator valve and to the thermal head, with a capillary tube interconnecting them.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of low surface temperature radiator having an integral thermostatic radiator valve.

According to the present invention there is provided a low surface temperature radiator comprising a heat radiator encased within an outer enclosure, said heat radiator comprising an adjustable radiator valve for controlling fluid flow through said heat radiator, said radiator valve having a valve housing with a centrally disposed operating spindle for operating said valve, a housing extension member mounted on said valve housing and arranged to extend through said outer enclosure, a spindle extension member disposed in said housing extension member in operating relationship with said operating spindle, and a thermostatic radiator valve thermal head mounted on said housing extension member and operable on said spindle extension member for controlling said radiator valve.

In carrying out the invention it may be arranged that said housing extension member is of generally tubular form and said spindle extension member is coaxlally disposed therein.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now been described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1, is a pictorial exploded view of the thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) valve body, a TRV thermal head which is adapted to be fitted to the valve body and an intermediate extension member, all for fitting to a low surface temperature radiator in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of part of a low surface temperature radiator in accordance with the present invention.

In the exploded view of Fig. 1 there is shown the valve unit 1 of a conventional TRV having an inlet 2 for connection to the "flow" pipe (not shown) of a central heating system, and an outlet 3 for connection to a heat radiator (not shown). The valve unit 1 is provided with a control coupling 4 which includes a centrally disposed spindle 5 which is axially movable in order to control the operation of the valve unit 1, and which, under normal circumstances, would be operated by a TRV thermal head shown at 6 in Fig. 1 which is screwed onto the control coupling 4 of the valve unit 1. However, in accordance with the present invention, in order to arrange that the thermal head 6 may be positioned external to the outer casing of a low surface temperature radiator (not shown), a housing extension member 7 is provided, one end of which screws onto the control coupling 4 of the valve unit 1 and the other end of which has the TRV thermal head 6 screwed to it. The housing extension member 7 is of generally tubular construction and is provided with a coaxially disposed spindle extension 8 which extends between the spindle 5 of the valve unit 1 and the TRV thermal head 6 and enables control of the spindle 5 and thus the valve unit 1 by the TRV thermal head 6.

In the fragmentary view of Fig. 2, the valve unit 1, the TRV thermal head 6 and housing extension member 7 of Fig. 1 are depicted coupled to a conventional low surface temperature radiator. The low surface temperature radiator of Fig. 2 comprises a wall mounted heat radiator 9 having a "flow" coupling 10 on which is mounted the valve unit 1 and the housing extension member 7 of Fig. 1. The heat radiator 9 is enclosed within an outer casing 11, only part of which is shown, which is provided with an aperture 12 through which the housing extension member 7 extends. The TRV thermal head 6 of Fig. 1 is, for convenience, shown separate from the housing extension member 7 but in practice would be mounted on the free end of the housing extension member 7. In this way thermostatic control of the heat radiator 9 is achieved externally of the outer enclosure 11 without the need for the bellows type extension kit previously used.

Claims

CLAMS

1. A low surface temperature radiator comprising a heat radiator encased within an outer enclosure, said heat radiator comprising an adjustable radiator valve for controlling fluid flow through said heat radiator, said radiator valve having a valve housing with a centrally disposed operating spindle for operating said valve, a housing extension member mounted on said valve housing and arranged to extend through said outer enclosure, a spindle extension member disposed in said housing extension member in operating relationship with said operating spindle, and a thermostatic radiator valve thermal head mounted on said housing extension member and operable on said spindle extension member for controlling said radiator valve.

2. A radiator as claimed in claim 1, in which said housing extension member is of generally tubular form and said spindle extension member is centrally disposed therein.

3. A low surface temperature radiator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as tollows CLAIMS

1. A low surface temperature radiator comprising a heat radiator encased within an outer enclosure, said heat radiator comprising an adjustable radiator valve for controlling fluid flow through said heat radiator, said radiator valve having a valve housing with a centrally disposed operating spindle for operating said valve and having an end connection for receiving a thermostatic radiator valve thermal head, a housing extension member adapted at one end to be mounted on said valve housing in place of said thermal head and being arranged to extend through said outer enclosure, a spindle extension member disposed in said housing extension member in operating relationship with said operating spindle, said housing extension member being adapted at the other end thereof to have said thermostatic radiator valve thermal head mounted thereon and being operable on said spindle extension member for controlling said radiator valve.