GB2543131A

GB2543131A - Improvements to radiator apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2543131A
Application number: GB1613452.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wood Michael
Original assignee: MERRY HALL Ltd
Current assignee: MERRY HALL Ltd
Priority date: 2015-08-04
Filing date: 2016-08-04
Publication date: 2017-04-12

Abstract

A radiator including a body 4 that has mounting means for, or is provided integrally with, one or heating elements 110, material which emits heat over a period of time 117 and a power supply. The body of the radiator has a plurality of zones 16, 18, 20 in which air flow is managed. Preferably air is drawn into the radiator in an opening of a zone 16 at the base of the body, is then fed into a primary heating zone 18, and then fed into a secondary heating zone 20 from which it exits the body. Preferably the zones comprise ribs or fins (30, fig 4). Preferably the body comprises housings 108 for receiving heating elements which are individually removable or replaceable from the housing. Also claimed is a radiator, with a body 4 formed with a plurality of housings, each provided to receive at least one heating element 110 therein via an opening which can then be closed and a method of forming such a radiator, where the housings are in a parallel arrangement, a heat transfer medium 117 is provided in the housings, and control means for electric power supply.

Description

Improvements to Radiator Apparatus

The present invention relates to radiator apparatus and methods for the manufacture and design of the same.

Radiators, and specifically electric radiators, are well known. Conventional electric radiators heat rooms by using a heating element disposed inside a radiator body to warm the adjacent air which, in turn, warms the room using convection. Their radiator bodies are typically metallic, although they can be made from other composite materials and polymers, and are either cast or are extruded in form.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved radiator apparatus, and components for the same, that allow improved consumer use and/or performance.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a radiator including a body which provides a mounting means for or is provided integrally with, one or more heating elements, material for the storage of heat to allow the same to be emitted from the radiator over a period of time, a power supply to allow the operation of the one or more heating elements to impart heat to the said material and wherein the body is formed to include a plurality of zones in which the air flow is managed.

Typically the management of the airflow is provided to maximise the heating effect which can be achieved from the radiator.

Typically the said zones are spaced from the base of the radiator body to the opposing end thereof. This means that most typically the said zones are vertically spaced when the radiator is in use on a floor or other support surface.

In one embodiment the zone adjacent the base is provided to encourage the drawing of air into the base of the radiator body to feed the next zone which is the primary heating zone and which then leads to the third zone which is provided as a secondary heating zone from which warm air can exit the radiator.

Typically the air flow in the primary heating zone is more labyrinthine than the air flow in the other two zones such as to maximise the heat which is passed to the air as it passes through this zone.

Typically the body is formed from a series of cast or extruded members, typically of aluminium, which are interlinked, and one or more brackets are provided which span between opposing walls of the body and which include a first engagement means for engagement at an interface between adjacent members at a first wall and a second engagement means for engagement at an interface between adjacent members at the opposing wall of the body.

The brackets therefore serve to secure adjacent members together and also to maintain the opposing walls in line.

In one embodiment the said brackets are provided at each of the interface locations between adjacent members.

In one embodiment at least one of the base and/or opposing end of the body receive a cap portion which encloses the open ends of the members.

In one embodiment the said cap includes a number of fins and/or formations to encourage and/or control the flow of air into and from the radiator respectively.

In one embodiment the cap is formed of an extruded material such as aluminium.

In one embodiment the body includes a plurality of corner portions which engage with the body via a location formation which in turn is attached to the body.

In one embodiment the radiator body includes means for the control of the power supply and heat emission and these means provided as a unit which is mechanically located in a recess in the radiator body with a viewable and/or user accessible face to allow user interaction with the same.

In one embodiment the said unit can be clipped into position via a series of lugs received in respective engagement recesses in the body. In one embodiment at least one of the lugs is provided with means to receive securing means which allow the unit to be secured to the body.

Typically the unit includes control means which allow the user to select particular operating characteristics of the radiator including any or any combination of switching the radiator on or off, the selection of thermostat settings and/or the selection of one or predetermined programmes of operation.

Typically the unit includes a plug or socket which allows connection with the other of a plug or socket provided with the radiator body and thereby allow control signals to be passed to the radiator heating elements and/or power supply.

In one embodiment the body includes a plurality of cartridges provided to be engaged with the said body and used in combination.

In one embodiment the cartridge includes at least one engagement formation whereby the cartridge means is engaged with and/or attached to the radiator body in use. Typically the cartridges can be selectively removed and/or are replaceable from the radiator body independently of the other cartridges.

Preferably the heating element is an electric heating element which uses electrical resistance to generate heat.

In one embodiment the heat transfer material includes any, or any combination of sand, stone, oil, clay, water, ceramic materials and/or the like.

In one embodiment the cartridge means housing is substantially linear and/or elongate in form. Typically the cartridge means is slidably inserted and/or inserted into at least part of a radiator body along an axis.

In one embodiment the body is formed with a plurality of housings, each housing provided to receive at least one heating element therein via an opening which is subsequently closed to enclose the heating element in the housing.

Typically the housings are provided with their longitudinal axes in parallel and used in combination to form the radiator.

In one embodiment the housings are formed as integral parts of the radiator body.

Typically the heating elements can be selectively removed and/or are replaceable from the respective housing independently of the other heating elements.

In one embodiment access to the heating element is obtained by removing a cap.

Preferably the heating element is an electric heating element. Typically the heating element uses electrical resistance to generate heat.

Typically each housing, in addition to the heating element, also includes at least one heat transfer medium disposed or located between the heating element and an inside surface of the housing.

In one embodiment the housings are substantially linear and/or elongate in form. Typically the heating element extends at least partially along the length of the housing so as to provide a substantially uniform heating effect along the length of the housing.

Typically the cap is located substantially at at least one end of the housing.

In one embodiment at least one cap means includes polymeric material. Typically the material is nylon and/or the like. Further typically at least part of the cap forms a boss or seal around at least part of the heating element.

In one embodiment the body and housings therein are extruded or cast.

In one embodiment the body includes electrical power supply connection means connected to an external power supply and the connection means allow connection with a power connector provided on each of the heating elements when the heating elements are located within the respective housings of the body.

In one embodiment the radiatot body is provided with control means which allow the selective provision of power to the heating elements, and hence control of the heat created by the radiator at any given time.

In one embodiment the control means allow the user control of the heating level which is emitted from the heating elements.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a radiator, said radiator including a body, and wherein the body is formed with a plurality of housings, each housing provided to receive at least one heating element therein via an opening which is subsequently closed to enclose the heating element in the housing.

Typically the body includes a plurality of housings provided with their longitudinal axes in parallel and used in combination to form the radiator.

Thus a radiator can be assembled comprising one or more heating elements that are connected to and/or otherwise engaged with respective housings formed in the body.

Typically the heating elements can be selectively removed and/or are replaceable from the respective housing by gaining access thereto by removing the at least one cap.

Typically the housing, in addition to the heating element, also includes at least one heat transfer medium. Further typically the heat transfer medium is disposed or located between the heating element and an inside surface of the housing.

In one embodiment the heat transfer medium includes any one or any combination of sand, stone, oil, clay, water, ceramic materials and/or the like.

Typically the cap is located substantially at at least one end of the housing.

In one embodiment the body and housings therein are extruded or cast.

In one embodiment the radiator body is provided with control means which allow the selective provision of power to the heating elements, and hence control of the heat created by the radiator at any given time.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming a radiator, wherein said method comprises the steps of forming a radiator body, forming one or more housings in a parallel arrangement in the body, locating at least one heating element in each of the housings, providing a heat transfer medium in the said housings, connecting the one or more heating elements to an electric power supply and control means therefore and sealing each of the housings as separate heating units.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the following figures, wherein:

Figures la and b illustrate an embodiment of a radiator in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 illustrates an end elevation of a radiator showing differing zones of operation;

Figures 3a-c illustrate embodiments of the first zone of Figure 2;

Figures 4a-e illustrate embodiments of the second zone of Figure 2;

Figures 5a-c illustrate embodiments of the third zone of Figure 2;

Figures 6a-c illustrate an embodiment of a cap in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figures 7a-b illustrate an embodiment of a support brackets in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figures 8a-c illustrate a corner cap fitting assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figures 9a-d illustrate a control unit assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 shows an electric radiator in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 11 shows a radiator body including a series of housings in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 10; and

Figure 12 shows a cross sectional elevation along line AA of one of the housings of Figure 11.

Referring firstly to Figures la and b there is illustrated a radiator 2 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention which is powered by electricity although it should be appreciated that certain of the features as now described may be incorporated to advantage in other types of radiator.

The radiator includes a body 4 formed from a series of members 6, top and bottom caps 40, corner caps, 8, 10, 11, 12 and a user control and display unit 14.

Within the body can be provided a series of heating elements which may be provided as integral parts or, as described in the applicant’s co-pending patent application, as cartridges. The elements are heated by the power supply and impart heat to typically a heat absorbing material which then allows the heat to be dissipated from the body to provide a heating effect in the environment in which the radiator is located.

In order to allow the heating effect to be maximised then in accordance with the invention as illustrated in Figure 2 which shows in a schematic manner an end view of the radiator. The same can be split into three zones 16,18,20. The zone 16 is located at the base of the radiator body, the zone 20 is provided at the top of the body and the zone 18 is located intermediate the same.

In zone 16 the cool air from the surrounding environments is drawn into the bottom of the radiator and fed along a relatively direct path towards the zone 18 which is the primary heating zone. The air flow in this zone is required to be slower in order to enable internal convection currents or turbulence to be created in order to allow the heating of the air to occur in an optimum manner.

The air then continues to the zone 20 which acts as a secondary heating zone and is where the warm exits from the radiator.

The Figures 3a-c illustrate possible alternative air flow paths for the zone 16 as it enters the radiator body at opening 22 in the direction of arrow 24. In each case while there are shaped ribs 26 provided they are designed to encourage the rapid air flow through the zone 16, to leave the same as indicated by arrow 28 and enter zone 18.

Figures 4a-e illustrate embodiments of the zone 18 and as this is the primary heating zone the aim of the provision of the ribs 30 in this zone is to ensure that the air flow continues so that it leaves the zone as indicated by arrow 32 but that as the air passes through the zone 18 convection is created so as to draw the heat created by the elements into the airflow. As such a relatively labyrinthine air flow path is created.

Figure 5a-c illustrates alternative embodiments of zone 20 in which the aim of this zone is to allow further heat to be added to the air as it passes through the same to allow the same to leave the radiator as indicated by arrow 34. In this case the ribs 36 are provided to allow the air flow to be encouraged to move towards the exit of the zone at top face 38.

Figures 6a- c illustrates the provision of a cap 40 which can be fitted across the top and/or bottom faces of the body. The cap is provided with means 42 which allow the same to be secured to the body members and a series of fins 44 which allow the air to be dissipated out of the body of the radiator more efficiently, whilst also acting as a barrier to prevent persons placing parts of their anatomy into the interior of the radiator body. The cap also includes engagement means 46 to allow the engagement of a mounting plate 48 of the type shown in Figures 8a and 8b. Securing means can be passed through the apertures 50 in the mounting plate and into the engagement means 46 and further securing means can be passed through the apertures 52 to engage with the engagement means 54. The mounting plate provides mounting formations 56 for the receipt and engagement of a corner cap, 8 thereon as indicated in the Figure 8c and which can be slid into position as indicated by arrow 58.

The body is formed by a plurality of members 6 which are respectively joined together along an interface 60, one of which is shown in Figure 7 a the interface is formed by inter engaging forms provided as part of the members and, in accordance with the invention, in addition by brackets 62 which span the gap between the opposing front and rear walls 64, 66 of the body. The brackets is moved into position as indicated by arrow 68 such that first locating means 70 locate with the interface 60 on the wall 64 and second, spaced, location means 72 engage with the interface 60 on the wall 66 of the body. The location means act to lock the members 6 together at the interface and the bracket is shown in the fixed position in Figure 7b.

Figures 9a and b illustrate the user control and interface unit 14 in more detail and it will be seen that the same incudes a display 74 and user operable buttons 76. The unit is provided with lugs 78,80 which are provided in a recess portion 82 and clip 84 respectively which can be of a first form as shown in Figure 9b and a second form as shown in Figure 9d. The unit can be moved into position as shown by the pivoting action indicated by arrow 86 in Figure 9c.

Turning to Figure 10 there is shown a wall mounted electric radiator 102 designed to be used in a domestic environment but does not necessarily have to be exclusively used as such. The body 103 of the radiator comprises a plurality of panels 104. The radiator panels, in the example shown in Figure 10 are formed by extruded metal but the radiator body 103 can alternatively be formed from cast or moulded metal. The power output of the radiator and times of operation can be selected using the control panel 106.

Formed in the body of the radiator are a number of housings 108 as shown in Figure 11 and one of the housings is shown in Figure 12. The housings, when complete, act as individual heating units.

In Figure 12 it can be seen that in the interior of the housing 108 there is provided a cavity 119 within walls 121 and located in the cavity is a resistive heating element 110 which extends substantially along the interior of the housing and along the longitudinal axis 111 of the housing. A first end cap 112 forms a seal around the element 110 at the base of the housing and the other end 113 of the housing is also sealed, either by being formed as part of the body or by a second end cap 112.

The space between the heating element 110 and the interior walls 115 of the housing is filled with a heat transfer medium 117.

In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, if a heating element fails, the same can easily and independently be replaced by removing the end cap to gain access to the housing in which the failed heating element is located, removing the same and replacing the same with a new element whilst leaving the remainder of the body and hence radiator, intact and undisturbed.

Claims

Claims l.A radiator including a body which provides a mounting means for or is provided integrally with, one or more heating elements, material for the storage of heat to allow the same to be emitted from the radiator over a period of time, a power supply to allow the operation of the one or more heating elements to impart heat to the said material and wherein the body is formed to include a plurality of zones in which the air flow is managed.
2 A radiator according to claim 1 wherein the said zones are vertically spaced from the base of the radiator body to the opposing end thereof when the radiator is located for use.
3. A radiator according to claim 1 wherein the zone closest to the base of the body encourages the drawing of air from external of the radiator into the base of the radiator body.
4 A radiator according to claim 3 wherein the air is fed from the base into a second zone which is the primary heating zone and which leads to a third zone which is provided as a secondary heating zone and from which air exits the radiator body.
5. A radiator according to claim 4 wherein the air flow in the primary heating zone is more labyrinthine than the air flow in the other two zones.
6. A radiator according to any of the preceding claims wherein the body is formed from a series of members which are interlinked.
7 A radiator according to claim 6 wherein one or more brackets are provided which span between opposing walls of the body and which include first engagement means for engagement as an interface between adjacent members at a first wall and a second engagement means for engagement at an interface between adjacent members at the opposing wall of the body so as to secure adjacent members together and maintain the opposing walls in relative position.
8. A radiator according to claim 7 wherein the brackets are provided at each of the interface locations between adjacent members.
9. A radiator according to claim 6 wherein at least one of the base and/or opposing ends of the body members receive a cap portion which at least partially encloses an open end of the members.
10. A radiator according to claim 9 wherein the cap includes a number of fins and/or formations to encourage and/or control the flow of air into and from the radiator.
11 A radiator according to claim 1 wherein the body includes a plurality of corner portions which engage with the body via a location formation which, in turn, is attached to the body.
12 A radiator according to claim 1 wherein the body includes a unit for the control of the power supply and heat emission and said unit is located in a recess in the radiator body with a viewable and/or user accessible face to allow user interaction with the same.
13 A radiator according to claim 12 wherein the said unit can be clipped into position via a series of lugs received in respective engagement recesses in the body and at least one of the lugs is provided with means to receive securing means to allow the unit to be secured to the body.
14 A radiator according to claim 12 wherein the unit includes a plug or socket which allows connection with the other of a plug or socket provided with the radiator body to allow control signals to be passed to the radiator heating elements and/or power supply from the unit.
15. A radiator according to claim 1 wherein the body includes a plurality of cartridges which are provided in engagement with the body and used in combination.
16 A radiator according to claim 15 wherein the said cartridges can be selectively engaged with and/or attached to the radiator body independently of the other cartridges.
17 Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the heating element is an electric heating element which uses electrical resistance to generate heat.
18. A radiator according to claim 18 wherein the heat transfer material includes any, or any combination of, sand, stone, oil, clay, water, ceramic materials.
19. A radiator according to claim 1 wherein the body is formed with a plurality of housings, each housing provided to receive at least one heating element therein via an opening which is subsequently closed to enclose the heating element in the housing.
20. A radiator according to claim 19 wherein the housings are provided with their longitudinal axes in parallel and the housings are formed as integral parts of the radiator body.
21. A radiator according to any of the claims 19-20 wherein the heating elements are selectively removed and/or are replaceable from the respective housing independently of the other heating elements.
22. A radiator according to claim 19 wherein at least part of a closure cap forms a boss or seal around at least part of the heating element.
23. A radiator according to claim 19 wherein each housing, in addition to the heating element, also includes at least one heat transfer medium disposed or located between the heating element and an inside surface of the housing.
24 A radiator according to claim 19 wherein the housings are substantially linear and/or elongate in form and the heating element extends at least partially along the length of the housing so as to provide a substantially uniform heating effect along the length of the housing.
25 A radiator according to claim 19 wherein the body includes electrical power supply connection means connected to an external power supply and the connection means allow connection with a power connector provided on each of the heating elements when the heating elements are located within the respective housings of the body.
26 A radiator according to claim 25 wherein the radiator body is provided with control means which allow the selective provision of power to the heating elements, and hence control of the heat created by the radiator.
27 A radiator, said radiator including a body, and wherein the body is formed with a plurality of housings, each housing provided to receive at least one heating element therein via an opening which is subsequently closed to enclose the heating element in the housing.
28 A radiator according to claim 27 wherein the body includes a plurality of housings provided with their longitudinal axes in parallel.
29. A radiator according to claim 27 wherein the housings are formed as integral parts of the radiator body.
30. A radiator according to claim 27 wherein the heating elements are selectively removable and/or are replaceable from the respective housing by gaining access thereto by removing a cap.
31 A radiator according to claim 27 wherein the housing, in addition to the heating element, also includes at least one heat transfer medium disposed or located between the heating element and an inside surface of the housing.
32. A radiator according to claim 27 wherein the housings are substantially linear and/or elongate in form and the heating element extends at least partially along the length of the housing so as to provide a substantially uniform heating effect along the length of the housing.
33 A radiator according to claim 27 wherein the body includes electrical power supply connection means connected to an external power supply and the connection means allow connection with a power connector provided on each of the heating elements when the heating elements are located within the respective housings of the body and control means allow the selective provision of power to the heating elements, and hence control of the heat created by the radiator.
34. A method of forming a radiator, wherein said method comprises the steps of forming a radiator body, forming one or more housings in a parallel arrangement in the body, locating at least one heating element in each of the housings, providing a heat transfer medium in the said housings, connecting the one or more heating elements to an electric power supply and control means therefore and sealing each of the housings as separate heating units.