GB2569357A

GB2569357A - Central heating radiator

Info

Publication number: GB2569357A
Application number: GB1720971.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Avers Stephen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-12-15
Filing date: 2017-12-15
Publication date: 2019-06-19
Also published as: GB201720971D0

Abstract

A cabinet comprising a visual display 16 such as a screen or LEDs to simulate a flame or fire effect while the walls of the casing 18 serve as central heating radiators. At least one plenum is defined within the thickness of the walls of the cabinet and supply and return pipes 24, 26 are provided for connecting the plenum to a central heating system for circulation of heated water through the plenum. The visual display may be mounted on or in a door 14, the door having a handle 20 and defining an internal storage space. The cabinet may resemble a solid fuel burning stove.

Description

The present invention relates to a central heating radiator .

Background

Radiators are well known for use in central heating systems in which water heated by a boiler is circulated in a closed system. Each radiator has a supply and return pipe for connection into the central heating system and presents a large surface area through which heat is transferred by convection into the living space to be heated.

Because of their need to have a large surface area, matched to the volume of the space to be heated, radiators can occupy a large area of wall space. This imposes restrictions on the way that furniture can be arranged within the living space. Furthermore, both the size and the appearance of conventional radiators may not fit in well aesthetically with the decor of the living space.

Summary

With a view to mitigating the foregoing disadvantages, the present invention provides a cabinet comprising a visual display, wherein walls of the cabinet serve as central heating radiators, at least one plenum being defined within the thickness of the walls of the cabinet and supply and return pipes being provided for connecting the plenum to a central heating system for circulation of heated water through the plenum.

In some embodiments, the cabinet is shaped to resemble a wood and solid fuel stove. Such a stove may have a form ranging from a glazed front unit to a pot belly cylindrical stoves without a glazed front. Thus, the cabinet may be designed to harmonise well with numerous decorative styles.

In such an embodiment, the visual display may comprise LED flame effect bulbs/lamps or it may be an electronic display screen. In the latter case, the screen may be programmed to display an image of a fire, with burning logs or coal and with either glowing embers or flickering flames. Furthermore, the same display screen may have several inputs, allowing it at different times to act as a television screen or as a computer monitor.

The cabinet is capable of performing as efficiently as a wall mounted radiator but it can be floor standing with the casing to the top, side, and back walls, and possibly also the base, radiating heat.

The supply and return pipes may suitably be concealed from view when the cabinet is viewed from the front, i.e. when the observer is facing the display screen. The pipes may run into the cabinet at the rear and they may either be centred or they may pass within legs located on either side of the cabinet.

The outer case of the cabinet may could be manufactured from a host of thermally conductive materials. For example, they may be formed of cast iron or, less expensively, of mild steel. Other materials such as stainless steel and aluminium could alternatively be used.

The walls of the cabinet may comprise a heating element, constructed in the same manner as a conventional radiator encased within an outer casing that is moulded to resemble a log burning stove.

In some embodiments, the heating elements in the walls of the cabinet may be insulated to ensure the heat is radiated outwards in preference to heating the storage space within the cabinet.

If desired, as with a conventional radiator, the cabinet may be fitted with a thermostatic control.

If designed to resemble a stove, the cabinet may be fitted with a decorative flue running up to the underside of the ceiling. For additional authenticity, the front of the cabinet may be provided with decorative vents, as may be found on a standard stove.

In summary a cabinet of the invention may be made to resemble a genuine log/solid fuel stove but would function as a replacement for a conventional central heating radiator. The cabinet would thus appeal to house owners wanting the character of a stove but without the mess. It would also appeal to home owners in areas where smoke emissions are banned and in new build houses that have no chimneys and therefore no ability to vent a stove, or in rooms that lack a room focal point, such as a fireplace.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not drawn to scale and in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a cabinet embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is a schematic partially cut away side view of the cabinet in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a perspective side view of the cabinet of Figures 1 with the outer casing omitted to reveal concealed heating elements, and

Figure 4 is a section through the cabinet of Figure 1.

Detailed description of the drawings

The drawings show a central heating radiator having the form of a cabinet 10 with a base 36 and legs 30, which, as can be seen from Figure 1 is designed to resemble a fuel burning stove when viewed from the front. The cabinet has a casing 18 which rests on the base 36 and has an interior storage space. The cabinet 10 also has a door 14 with a handle 20 and within the door 14, or behind a glazed panel in the door 14, there is mounted an electronic display screen 16 which can be used to display an image of a fire.

Each, or at least some, of the walls of the casing 18 of the cabinet 10 comprises a heating element 12 that is constructed in the same manner as a central heating radiator. Each heating element defines a plenum that is connected in the central heating system to enable heated water to be circulated through it. In Figure 3, heating elements 12s are formed in the side walls of the cabinet, a heating element 12t is built into the top wall and a heating element 12b forms part of the bottom wall. Each of these heating elements, generically herein designated 12, may be formed separately, or as is shown in Figure 3, they may be formed by a single pipe coiled into a drum of rectangular cross section. The heating elements need not be formed of coiled pipes but may be constructed from pressed steel plates .

A supply pipe 24 and a return pipe 26 connect the heating element 12 to the central heating system. If desired, a thermostatic valve 28 may be provided on the supply pipe to enable the room temperature to be regulated. In the illustrated embodiment, the supply and return pipes 24, 26 are concealed at the back of the cabinet but they may be further disguised by placing them within support legs 30 of the cabinet.

Each casing wall is provided with insulation 32 on its side facing the interior storage space of the cabinet, while the outward facing surface is covered with a heat conductive casing 34 that disguises the appearance of the heating elements and results in the cabinet resembling a stove. The outer casing can be chosen to resemble cast iron or if may be enamel finished in any desired colour.

A decorative but non-functioning flue 36 is also fitted 10 to the top of cabinet to improve the simulation of a genuine fuel burning stove.

Claims

1. A cabinet comprising a visual display, wherein walls of the cabinet serve as central heating radiators, at least one plenum being defined within the thickness of the walls of the cabinet and supply and return pipes being provided for connecting the plenum to a central heating system for circulation of heated water through the plenum.

2. A cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cabinet is shaped to resemble a wood and solid fuel stove.

3. A cabinet as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the visual display comprises LED flame effect bulbs/lamps.

4. A cabinet as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the visual display is an electronic display screen.

5. A cabinet as claimed in claim 4, wherein the screen may be programmed to display an image of a fire.

6. A cabinet as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the display screen has additional inputs to allow the screen, at different times, to act as a television screen or as a computer monitor.

7. A cabinet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the supply and return pipes are concealed from view when the cabinet is viewed from the front.

8. A cabinet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one wall of the cabinet has an outer casing formed of thermally conductive material, in thermal contact with a heating element constructed as a radiator defining the plenum connectible to the central heating system.

9. A cabinet as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sides of the heating elements in the walls of the cabinet facing the interior storage space of the cabinet are thermally insulated,

10. A cabinet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to wherein the cabinet is fitted with a decorative flue.