GB2532273A

GB2532273A - Heating apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2532273A
Application number: GB1420297.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Thomas Warren Adam
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-11-14
Filing date: 2014-11-14
Publication date: 2016-05-18
Also published as: GB201420297D0

Abstract

The apparatus comprises first and second ends adapted for fluid connection with respective first and second portions of a radiator 10, the radiator comprising one of a plurality of radiators of a central heating system powered by a boiler. The apparatus has a heating element 21 adjacent the first end, a switch (26, figure 3) for selecting a temperature and a pump 23 adjacent the second end. The apparatus heats water received from the radiator and pumps the heated water back into the radiator. The apparatus can be used to heat a room the radiator is in when the boiler of the heating system is deactivated. Ideally the apparatus is fluidly connected to the radiator by a T-section pipe 24 that is also connected to an inlet pipe 20 so that water from the boiler can pass to the radiator when the apparatus isnt needed. A non-return valve 25 can be used to ensure water heated by the apparatus in use isnt sent to the central heating system. Ideally the first and second ends are upper and lower ends, respectively, of the apparatus. The apparatus may be integral with the radiator. A method is also claimed.

Description

Heating Apparatus The present invention relates to heating systems, in particular to central heating systems in a domestic or working environment.

When the weather is inclement, heating systems are often relied upon to create warm, comfortable environments in buildings in which we live or work. Such heating systems include for example a central heating system with a boiler, with at least one radiator in each room of the building, and a series of pipes which connect the boiler to the radiators such that water warmed by the boiler travels around the building and through the radiators to increase the temperature inside the building. The desired temperature for the building may be set centrally to maintain the whole building at that temperature; however while it can be cost effective and convenient to heat a building in this way it is often the case that only certain rooms need to be heated, while the remaining rooms may be left unheated for periods of time. One way to ensure only selected rooms are heated is to switch off the radiators in the rooms which do not need to be heated. However it is time consuming and tedious to go around a building switching radiators on and off at various times of the day and so it is often the case that radiators are simply left on, and rooms heated unnecessarily, and this is a waste of resources.

It would be helpful to have a mechanism for heating, or maintaining the heat in, selected rooms in a building by means of a central heating system, without needing to switch individual radiators off According to a first aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for fitting to a selected one radiator of a plurality of radiators in a central heating system with a boiler. The apparatus includes a first end adapted for fluid communication with a first portion of said radiator and a second end adapted for fluid communication with a second portion of said radiator. The apparatus comprises a switch for selecting a temperature, a heating element adjacent the first end for supplying heat to fluid in the apparatus, and a pump adjacent the second end for pumping fluid through the apparatus and round the radiator. The apparatus is operable to pump heated fluid through the apparatus, to travel out one of the first or second end returning back through the other of the first or second end, while maintaining the heated fluid at the selected temperature.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a heating chamber intermediate the heating element and pump.

Preferably the first end is adapted to be fitted to a top of a radiator.

Preferably the second end is adapted to be fitted to a base of a radiator.

Preferably the switch is a temperature regulator mechanism.

Preferably the apparatus is elongate.

Preferably the apparatus includes a mains plug.

Preferably the apparatus includes a battery.

Preferably the apparatus further includes a three way pipe for engagement with the second portion, the pipe including an inlet to receive fluid for heating and two outlets into which the fluid can pass.

Preferably the apparatus further includes a non-return valve in the inlet portion.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a radiator with an apparatus, as set out above, attached.

According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a radiator integral with an apparatus as set out above.

According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of maintaining a selected temperature in a selected one radiator of a plurality of radiators in a central heating system with a boiler. The method comprises attaching an apparatus, independent of the boiler, to the one radiator, the apparatus including a switch, a heating element and a pump, and in fluid communication with an interior of the one radiator. The method includes setting the switch on the apparatus, the switch operable to select a target temperature to be maintained by the selected one radiator, control a supply of heat from the heating element to fluid held within the apparatus to reach and maintain the target temperature, control pumping, by the pump, of fluid in the apparatus to urge fluid around the apparatus and the selected one radiator.

Preferably the method further includes positioning the heating element adjacent a top portion of the apparatus.

Preferably the method further includes positioning the pump adjacent a bottom portion of the apparatus.

Preferably the method further includes providing a non-return valve adjacent the apparatus, maintaining integrity of circulation of the fluid within the apparatus and radiator.

Preferably the method further includes providing power to the apparatus by means of a mains plug.

Preferably the method further includes providing power to the apparatus by means of a battery.

A preferred arrangement of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a conventional radiator, Figure 2 shows a radiator with the apparatus of the present invention attached, and Figure 3 shows a plan view of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a part of a conventional central heating system including a radiator 10 connected to a central heating system pipe network via an inlet pipe 20 and an outlet pipe 30. Inlet pipe 20 extends upwardly, for example through a floor, to engage with the radiator 10 via the Lock Shield (LS) 70, which is positioned between the inlet pipe 20 and the radiator 10 at the base of the radiator. Water from the boiler passes from the pipe 20 into the radiator 10 through the LS 70. A Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV) 40 is positioned between the radiator 10 and outlet pipe 30 and water passes from the radiator and back into the central heating system through the TRV.

Figure 2 shows an apparatus in accordance with the present invention attached to the radiator of Figure 1. The apparatus is shown engaged with the radiator 10 at two points, the base of the radiator at the LS 70, and the top of the radiator on the side adjacent the LS.

In order to engage with the subject apparatus, the LS 90 may be replaced by a T-section' pipe 24, with water from the central heating system entering the T section through a first end of the T bar, and exiting the T section through both the long 20 section of the T and the second end of the T bar. The long section of the T provides a path into the radiator 10, and the second end of the T bar provides a path into the subject apparatus. With a first end of the apparatus engaged with, and in fluid communication with, the second end of the T-bar, and a second end of the apparatus engaged with, and in fluid communication with, a top of the radiator at position 60, the apparatus is in its operating position.

Figure 3 shows the apparatus in more detail. As can be seen, the apparatus includes a pump 23, a heating chamber 22, and a heating element 21. As also shown in Figure 2 pump 23 is positioned adjacent the base of the apparatus, with heating element 21 positioned adjacent a top of the apparatus and heating chamber 22 positioned intermediate the pump 23 and heating element 21, when the apparatus is engaged with a radiator 10. In addition, both of Figures 2 and 3 show T bar 24 positioned adjacent the base of the radiator 10 in the position previously occupied by LS 70, and heating element 21 extending into heating chamber 22 of the apparatus. In a further detail, Figure 3 shows that the top of the apparatus is in fluid communication with the radiator 10 through pipe 29.

Heating element 22 is positioned in the top of the apparatus, in a conventional arrangement which allows the heating element to be accessed and possibly replaced should a problem occur. As it is positioned at the top of the apparatus any such activity will be straightforward, not requiring for example for the radiator to be emptied or other steps taken, which assists with maintenance.

Figure 3 also shows a non-return valve 25 positioned in the first end of the T bar. This non return valve assists with the functionality of the apparatus as it prevents water circulating in the radiator and apparatus from passing back into the central heating system pipe network.

Figure 3 also shows a switch 26 positioned adjacent the heating element, for example a thermostatic or other conventional switch. Alternatively a different, conventional, temperature regulator mechanism may be positioned adjacent the heating element.

The switch or temperature regulator mechanism is provided to set a desired temperature for the radiator. The heating element supplies heat to the water in the apparatus until the desired temperature is reached, at which point the heating element switches off until the temperature drops sufficiently for the heating element to switch on again. By this means a desired water temperature is maintained.

There is also present (not shown) a fail safe cut-out switch which switches off the heating element should the temperature of the water in the apparatus approach the maximum temperature that water in a radiator is legally permitted to reach. As water temperature increases towards boiling point the volume occupied expands very significantly, and to avoid potentially dangerous or explosive expansion of water in for example radiator systems, a maximum legal value for water temperature is set.

The apparatus may include a plug or battery (not shown) as a power source for the heating element and pump. Alternatively the apparatus may include an alternative conventional power source, Conventionally, when heating a domestic dwelling using a central heating system a thermostat is set, probably centrally, to heat the dwelling to a desired temperature. However, as stated above the whole of the dwelling will be heated which may not be the desired outcome and which wastes energy. If only selected rooms are to be heated by the central heating system then radiators in the rooms which are not to be heated must be turned off. Alternatively, the central heating boiler may be turned off and alternative means used to heat selected rooms.

The present apparatus allows for the use of the central heating system to heat selected rooms in a house or other building without the need to switch off individual radiators 15 in each of the rooms which do not need to be heated.

The apparatus must first be fitted to selected radiators in the central heating system. For example, it would be useful to establish which rooms might need to be heated separately from the rest of the house. Once those rooms have been identified an apparatus in accordance with the present invention is fitted to the radiator (or radiators) in each such room. Such fitting includes the step of replacing the LS 70 with T shaped pipe 24, such that a first end of the T bar is in fluid communication with the inlet pipe, the long section of the T shaped pipe is in fluid communication with the internal volume of the radiator, and the second end of the T bar is in fluid communication with a first end of the apparatus. A second end of the apparatus is then fitted to the top of the radiator, to be in fluid communication with radiator 10 via pipe 29.

With the apparatus fitted to selected radiators the benefits of the arrangement can be set out.

In particular, as a first step the central heating system boiler may be switched on and all the radiators heated to bring the internal volume of the building to a desired temperature. Once it has been decided that the selected room, including the radiator with the apparatus mounted thereon, is the only room that needs to be maintained at a, or the, desired temperature, power may be supplied to the apparatus by means of the mains plug, battery, or other power source, and the switch 26, for example the thermostatic switch or alternative temperature regulator mechanism, on the apparatus may be set to the desired temperature.

The central heating system may then be switched off, for example by switching off the boiler. All the radiators in the central heating system will start to cool as the boiler will no longer supply heat, and the water already present in the radiators will no longer be pumped around the system.

However, as the thermostatic switch or other temperature regulator mechanism on the apparatus attached to the selected radiator detects the cooling temperature, the heating element switches on to supply heat to the water in that radiator, to ensure the temperature does not drop below the desired temperature. In addition, the pump in the apparatus pumps the heated water around the radiator and the apparatus.

The non-return valve 25 in inlet pipe 20 prevents water returning to the central heating system via inlet pipe 20.

After the central heating system is switched off, the central heating pump also switches off and so no water is urged around the central heating pipes and radiators.

In addition the water in the central heating system cools. The water in the apparatus and associated radiator is heated by the heating element and pumped around the apparatus and radiator. The system provides a closed loop for circulating warm water as the cool water of the central heating system remains in the inlet pipe -warm water rises, and so there is no mechanism for the cool water in the inlet pipe to rise and replace the warm water in the apparatus and radiator. With no water entering into the radiator, no water leaves and so no water exits the radiator by the TRV. With the non-return valve on the inlet pipe, as stated, there is no mechanism for water to be urged out of the apparatus or radiator and back into the central heating system.

Thus water of the desired temperature is pumped continuously around the selected radiator only, and the apparatus and radiator together form a unit which heats locally, and does not transfer heat around the other pipes and radiators of the central heating system.

Thus the radiator with the apparatus attached remains at a selected temperature without reference to the other radiators in the central heating system.

It is also possible to heat a selected room by means of the apparatus attached to the central heating radiator therein without engaging the central heating system at all. To do so the apparatus attached to the radiator is switched on and the desired temperature set via switch 26. The heating element 21 will then heat the water in the apparatus until the selected temperature is reached, and the pump 23 will circulate the water around the apparatus and the radiator to maintain the temperature in the radiator and the room, as desired. It is likely to take much longer to heat the radiator by this means rather than by utilising the boiler and the central heating system, however it is fairly economical, and the temperature can be maintained for as long as is required.

The position of the pump, the heating element and the switch may be varied; however the present arrangement includes the pump, heating element and switch in optimum positions, with the pump at the base of the apparatus and the heating element and switch together at the top. It seems sensible to have the heating element and switch close together as that arrangement is most responsive -when the temperature selected by the switch is adjusted the heating element adjacent to the switch can respond immediately. However alternative positions for the pump, heating element and switch are possible but have disadvantages.

Placing the heating element at the base of the apparatus adjacent the base of the radiator results in the bubbles generated during heating rising noisily to the top of the radiator, and such noise is unlikely to be welcome. In addition, as heated water rises it would take time for the base of the radiator to reach the same temperature as the top of the radiator. Positioning the switch at the base of the apparatus close to the heating element would mean that heat would still be supplied to water at the base of the apparatus even when the water at the top of the apparatus is dangerously hot. Indeed, the water at the base of the apparatus and radiator may never achieve a desired temperature even when the water at the top of the apparatus and radiator is dangerously hot. The fail-safe cut out switch would engage long before the base of the radiator reaches a desired temperature and so the heating effect of the radiator would be diminished.

Positioning the switch at the top of the apparatus some distance away from the heating element at the base of the apparatus may create further problems, in particular the heating element may be switched off by the switch when the top of the radiator achieves a desired set temperature at which time water at the base of the apparatus and radiator is still cool.

Placing the heating element at the top of the apparatus adjacent the top of the radiator has the advantage that the heated water cannot rise further and so may be urged to circulate around the radiator and apparatus, providing an efficient way to heat the whole radiator.

Having the heating element at the top of the apparatus and the switch at the base would be problematic as water at the base of the apparatus would never achieve the desired temperature and so the heating element would not switch off, leading to the dangerous situation of the water temperature rising too high, before which, of course the fail-safe cut out switch would become operative. Having the heating clement at the top of the apparatus and the switch at the top, close by, would be the best arrangement as this would avoid the danger of the temperature of the water rising to dangerous levels.

As can be seen, regardless of where the heating element and switch are positioned, there remains a problem achieving a uniform desired temperature over the radiator. A solution to this problem can be provided by installing a pump into the apparatus. Such a pump would assist with the circulation of the warmed water around the apparatus and the radiator to achieve a uniform temperature across the apparatus and radiator, and has the further advantage that it prevents the noise created by the generation of bubbles during heating. One position for the pump is the base of the apparatus where cool water can be urged towards the heater, causing the hotter water to circulate around the radiator. In addition, with the heater and switch at the top of the apparatus, there is a convenient space for the pump at the base of the apparatus. Alternative positions for the pump are contemplated.

The heating chamber positioned intermediate the heating element, and into which the heating element extends, provides a volume in which the heating element can heat the water.

Advantageously a timer can be introduced, either on the plug or integral with the apparatus and a timing schedule can be programmed into the timer so that the selected room can be heated according to the schedule. Such a schedule can operate over a 24 hour period over months or years, and will save money, power, gas and/or electricity, and reduce the carbon footprint of the central heating system user.

The present invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments. For example the apparatus may not be elongate but may be an alterative, appropriate shape. In addition, the apparatus may not include a separate heating chamber. Also, the switch is not restricted to a thermostatic switch, but may be any kind of switch. In addition, the central heating system may have an alternative suitable heat source, rather than a boiler. Also, the water in the apparatus may be heated by an alternative mechanism, instead of the heating element discussed above, in which case the fail-safe switch used will prevent further heating of the water in the apparatus and therefore in the radiator.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An apparatus for fitting to a selected one radiator of a plurality of radiators in a central heating system with a boiler, said apparatus including: a first end adapted for fluid communication with a first portion of said radiator; and a second end adapted for fluid communication with a second portion of said radiator; said apparatus comprising: a switch for selecting a temperature; a heating element adjacent said first end for supplying heat to fluid in said apparatus; a pump adjacent said second end for pumping fluid through said apparatus and round said radiator; said apparatus operable to pump heated fluid through said apparatus, to travel out one of said first or second end returning back through the other of said first or second end, while maintaining said heated fluid at said selected temperature.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a heating chamber intermediate said heating element and said pump.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first end is adapted to be fitted to a top of a radiator.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second end is adapted to be fitted to a base of a radiator.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switch is a thermostatic switch.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said apparatus is elongate.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim I, wherein said apparatus includes a mains plug.
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes a battery.
9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further including a three way pipe for engagement with said second portion, said pipe including an inlet to receive fluid for heating and two outlets into which said fluid can pass.
10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, further including a non-return valve in said inlet portion.
11. A radiator with an apparatus, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, attached.
12. A radiator integral with an apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.
13. A method of maintaining a selected temperature in a selected one radiator of a plurality of radiators in a central heating system with a boiler, comprising: attaching an apparatus, independent of said boiler, to said one radiator, said apparatus including a switch, a heating element and a pump, and in fluid communication with said interior of said one radiator, said method including: setting said switch on said apparatus, said switch operable to: select a target temperature to be maintained by said selected one radiator; control a supply of heat from said heating element to fluid held within said apparatus to reach and maintain said target temperature; control pumping, by said pump, of fluid in said apparatus to urge fluid around said apparatus and said selected one radiator;
14. A method as claimed in claim 13, further including positioning said heating element adjacent a top portion of said apparatus.
15. A method as claimed in claim 13, further including positioning said pump adjacent a bottom portion of said apparatus.
16. A method as claimed in claim 13, further including providing a non-return valve adjacent said apparatus, maintaining integrity of circulation of said fluid within said apparatus and radiator.17 A method as claimed in claim 13, further including providing power to said apparatus by means of a mains plug.18. A method as claimed in claim 13, further including providing power to said apparatus by means of a battery.19. An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.