US1747159A - Radiator - Google Patents

Description

M. J. CALLAHAN RADIATOR Feb. 18, 1930.

Filed March 11 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 V mmvmn:

ATTORNEY.

Feb. 18, 1930. M. J. CALLAHAN RADIATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 11. 1927 I INVENTUH.

' 1. azmlm/ A TTORN E Y Feb. 18, 1930. M. J. QALLAHAN RADIATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 11. 1927 INI/E/VTOR Fb. 18, 1930. M. J. CALLAHAN 1,747,159

IT! l Patented Feb. 18, 1 930 PATENT orric women a. cALLAnan, or New YORK, n. Y;

RADIATOR Application filed March 11, 1927. Serial No. 174,513.

This invention relates to radiators for dispensing heat or heated air into chambers or open spaces such as rooms, lofts, closets, etc., and, particularly, has reference to a radiator 5 adapted for installation in a heating and ventilating unit, such, for example, as the heating and ventilating unit shown in my Patent #l,503,089, granted July 29, 1924, and in my application filed March 14, 1925, Serial N umher 15,518. I

Among the objects of my'invention may be noted the following: to provide a radiator capable of radiating a maximum amount of heat and of occupying a minimum amount 1 of space; to provide a radiator so constructed that it has a maximum amount of radiating area, a minimum amount o'ffiuid conducting space, and a maximum of heat conductivity; to provide a radiator composed of headers which are interchangeable, and

which can be'used interchangeably for the fluid supply or fluid return; to provide a radiator composed of similar headers made of malleable iron or castings in combination with sheet metal tubes jointed to the headers without solder, brazing or other similar se curing means; to provide a'radiator wherein the headers are composed of cast material, the tubes are composed of sheet metal, and the radiating fins are composed of sheet metal affording a maximum amount of radiating surface and heat conductivity; to provide a radiator which has its tubes secured to its headers by merely expanding the ends of they tubes and without the employment of any other fastening means such as solder, brazing, etc; to provide a radiator so constructed that it can be disposed in a finite space, such as in a unit heating and ventilatin apparatus, and

through which the air can e blown either downwardly, as in my Peerless unit-of my aforesaid patent, or upwardly as in my Peervent unit of my aforesaid application; and to provide certain details of construction which give to the radiator great efiiciency, a maximum amount of radiation area, and make the radiator light, strong, durable and capable of installation in a small space. With the foregoing objects in View and others which will be detailed during the course of this description, my invention consists in the parts, features, elements and combinations thereof hereinafter described and claimed.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood, I have provided drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a View showing in end elevation a radiator embodying one form of my invention;

Figure 2. is a view in transverse vertical section of the radiator shown in Figure 1;.

Figure 3 is a View showing my radiator of Figure 1 in longitudinal vertical section, the View being greatly enlarged and broken centrally to curtail the View Figure 4 is a view showing in front elevation and transverse section the flexible closure for the outer wall of the headers;

Figure 5 is a view showing in end elevation another form of my invention;

Figure 6 is a view in transverse Vertical section of the structure shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a View in longitudinal vertical section of the structure shown in Figure 5, the View being enlarged and broken centrally to curtail the same;

Figure 8. is a View showing in side elevation a header with disposition of radiating fins according to another form of my invention; and

Figure 9 is a View similar to Figure 8 showing still another disposition of the fins according to my invcntlon.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates the opposite headers. Each of the headers is made of a casting, preferably malleable iron, which gives strength and durability and iscomparatively light. Each of the headers is oblong in form, and is provided with a circular extension 2 approximately in the middle of one of its long sides, said extension affording a chamber 3, one wall of which is apertured and screw-threaded for the attachment of a conduit 4 which may be either the steam-inlet conduit or the fluid-outlet or return conduit. According to its use, the aperture may have a screw-threaded bushing 5 set therein for the accommodation of a conduit of small diameter. The major fportion of each of the oblong headers 1 is ormed into a fluid expansion chamber 6, which communicates with the chamber 3, the expansion chamber having its opposite walls connected and braced by a plurality of webs 7 The two headers are or the admission, distribution and return of heating fluid in a system. Each of the chambers 6 is provided in its outer wall with an aperture 8 extending therethrough, the outer end of which aperture is shouldered, as at 9, for the reception of a closure disk 10, which is concavo-convex in form, as shown in Figure 4, and is adapted to be pressed into sealing engagement by pressure applied to the disk after being set in the shouldered end of the said aperture 8. Pressure applied, as stated will tend to flatten the disk 10 and force its edges intointimate relation with the circumferential wall of the shouldered portion 9 of the aperture 8 in the outer wall of the chamber6, thus sealing said aperture. The opposite, or inner, wall of the chamber 6 of each of the headers is provided with an aperture, the wall of which is flared inwardly, the aperture being formed through an inwardly extending teat 11, affording an extensive bearing for the endsof the tubes 12. There being a number of apertures through the inner wall for supporting the tubes, the webs 7 strengthen the casting and prevent it from either cracking from contraction or expansion, or collapsing from pressure applied as presently described.

The headers thus constructed are interchangeable and can be used for either inlet or outlet connections, and the disposition of the chambers 3 is such that they will receive the drainage from the two expansion chambers and thus carry off all moisture of condensation. This is very desirable and efflcacious in order to prevent freezing and consequent fracture or cracking.

In the instance shown in Figures 1 to 3, the connecting tubes are numerous and of comparatively small diameter and are com posed of rolled sheet metal or may be drawn, if desired. The tubes are preferably formed of thin copper, brass or other ductile, malleable or pliant metal having high heat conductively. Normally, the tubes are of-uniform diameter throughout their length; but, when inserted in the flared apertures of the headers, the ends are expanded into engagement with the walls of the flared apertures, and thus are joined to the headers without solder, brazing or otherwise, as indicated at 13, Figure 3. The method of expanding the tubes into the headers is as follows:

The ends of the tubes are inserted in the flared apertures in one of the headers, which is held rigidly in position for the operation of the spreading tool. The spreading tool, multiplex in character, is then entered into the apertures 8 opposite the ends of the 1nserted tubes. Pressure is applied causing the end of the tubes to be expanded into close and intimate relation and contact with flared walls of the apertures in teats 11. The tool is then withdrawn and the'tube ends will be found to be spread and in forceful, frictional engagement with the flared walls of the teats. The tool having been withdrawn from the oppositeapertures 8, in the outer wall of the eaders, the said apertures are closed by insertion of the concave-convex disks of flexible but resilient metal and, when pressure is applied to the outer side of the said disks. the circumferential edges will be forced into intimate and forceful engagement with the surrounding wall of the shouldered portion 9 of the aperture 8. This hermetically seals the header. The same operations are carried out upon the opposite ends of the tubes for securing them to the opposite header and for closing the latter. This is an important feature of my invention and upon it I desire to lay stress, since it eliminates all independent connecting means for securing the tubes and headers together. The webs 7 prevent the headers from cracking or collapsing when pressure is applied to flare the tube-ends, and to flex the closures 10.

As a preliminary to the foregoing operations of securing the tubes and headers together and closing or sealing the headers, radiating plates or fins are applied to the tubes, said radiating plates being, according to my invention, in several forms. The object of this portion of my invention is to bring about the greatest possible radiation area and surface in a given structure; and-it will be noted that in some instances my radiator is provided with a large number of tubes, while in other instances a small number of tubes of comparatively large diameter is employed. In the instance of my invention in which a large number of tubes is employed, as in Figures 1 to 3, the tubes are arranged close together and are of comparatively small diameter. Each of these tubes is provided with a plurality of radiating fins, disks or plates 14, which are secured on the circumference of the tubes in very close relationship and in very close and snug contact with the tubes, the latter being important in order to provide for a maximum of heat conductivity from tubes to plates and to avoid loss of radiation or transfer of heat from the tubes to the plates. The plates may be individual disks closely arranged, or t ey may be a strip wound about the tubes in spiral form. In either event, the metal is thin and of high heat conductivity, the same-as the tubes; a lid, in the instance shown, the plates areslid upon the tubes and the latter are expanded by passing an expansion tool or device through them. This causes the tubes and heat conductivity, and produces an effective and rigid attachment betweenthe tubesand disks without using an attaching medium. As shown in Figure 3, the disks are of diminishing thickness from center to circumference, and the thick wall surrounding the central aperture provides an extensive surface for adhesion of the disks .to' the tubes, and prevents the latter from wabbling or shifting on the tubes. Thus, the disks are firmly secured to the tubes and the latter are firmly secured to the headers without the use of solder, brazing, or other independent attaching means. Stress is laid upon these factors as important features of my invention.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the headers are held from direct contact with the fioor by the formation thereon of supporting plates '15, which are produced integral with the casting and in continuity with the outer wall and at the bottom thereof. These plates may be extensive as desired, so as to support the headers with sufficient clearance from the floor. The form of these plates, as shown, is suggestive only.

Referring to Figures 5, 6 and 7, which disclose another form of my invention, it will be seen that the headers 16 are connected together by two comparatively largefluid conduits or tubes 17. Each header comprises a rectangular member having two chambers 18 for the expansion or distribution of the heating fluid. Each header also has a web 19 made integral therewith as a part of the casting and of such suflicient extent to support the radiator upon the floor with all the parts thereof clear from contact with the floor. The support 19 is formed as an extension of the outer wall of the header. Each header 16 has its outer and inner wall braced and sustained by internal web members 20 at opposite ends of the header and also by an intermediate web member 21. Between the members 20 and 21 the two chambers 18 are sion chambers 18, and the tubes 17 convey the fluid to the opposite chambers 18, from whence the fluid, together with moisture of condensation passes into the chamber 22 and out through return conduit 2i. As shown, the tubes 17 are of comparatively large diameter, and there are only two of them employed in this form of my invention. These tubes are formed the same as the tubes of Figures 1 to 3, may be composed of the same headers and extend beyond the several chambers thereof. The radiating plates may be made of the same material as the fins of Figures 1 to 3, and are secured upon the tubes in the same manner as described with reference to the first form of my invention. However, as shown in r F igure 7, the radiating plates are provided with flanges 26 surrounding the central apertures thereof and perpendicular to the plane of the said plates.

Through the medium of these flanges, the plates are caused to adhere to the tubes by expansion of the latteras described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The flanges have the additional function of spacing the plates upon the tubes and tending to hold the plates perpendicular to the tubes. Each of the plates also has a plurality of circular teats 27 formed thereon adjacent their peripheries, the object of which is to space the plates at their outer margins and maintain the plates substantially perpendicular to the tubes. The teats 27 are or may be formed by merely punching up the material of the plates. Additionally, the radiating plates are p110- vided with a plurality of diamond-shaped projections 28 formed by punching up the material of the plates. These projections may be cut through the material of the plates, and preferably are so cut, and are thus. given two functions,.viz, they prevent the free passage of the air between the plates by deflecting the air in its passage, and also cause the deflected air to pass laterally through the plates and laterally from end to end of the mass of plates and, consequently, laterally through the space between the headers. Preferably, the projections 28 are arranged on the plates in staggered relation so that the air passing between the plates is compelled to traverse a zig-Zag course from one edge to the other of the said plates. The teats 27 aid somewhat in retarding the passage of the air between the plates and also permit lateral circulation of the air through the plates from one end tothe other of the mass, taking the air from the surroundings of the radiator. As shown in Figure 7 the radiating plates mounted on the two tubes may be numerous and may extend considerably beyond the headers at opposite sides thereof, though, at

the bottom, or supported side of the headers, the plates are not extended as far as the sup:

ports 19, and thus do not contact with the oor.

In Figure 8, the physical features of construction are the same as in Figure 7 but, the radiating plates are extended a comparativelygreat distance beyond one side of the headers and a comparatively short distance beyond one side of the tubes.

In Figure 9, the reverse arrangement of the plates is shown, viz, extending a considerable distance beyond the supported side of'the headers and a short distance only beyond the tubes on the opposite side of the headers.

It is to be understood that the number of tubes employed in my radiator is not of the essence of my invention; but, that I have found a large number ofsmall tubes and a small number of-large tubes quite efficient. The material of the tubes is important; for, it must be light, ductile and have high heat conductivity. That the tubes can be expanded, as described, to secure them to the headers and to the radiating fins or plates, is important.

The radiating fins or plates may be composed of any metal found suitable, such as copper and brass, the desideratum being that the metal employed shall be sufiiciently rigid to maintain the proper relationship of the plates and tubes, and at the same time be capable of rapid heat conduction.

It is important that the fins or plates shall afford a maximum of radiation area or surface for a given structure or use; and it is an important feature of my invention that such area shall be greatest on the delivery or exit side of the radiator structure so as to greatly and sufiiciently raise the temperature of the air before delivery from the radiator or unit. That is to say, I have been making two particular forms of heating and ventilating units,-one called Peerless and the other called Peervent,in which my new radiator is used, the former requiring the air to be driven downwardly through the radiator and the latter requiring the air to be driven upwardly through the radiator. In the Peerless unit the arrangement of plates shown in Figure 9 would be highly eifectiveywhile in the Peervent, the arrangement of plates shown in Figure 8 would be highly effective. In both units the forms of radiators shown in Figures 3 and 7 would be quite effective.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A radiator composed of two headers each having a plurality of expansion chambers, tubes connecting the headers, and a plurality of independent radiation plates applied to the tubes, said plates being provided with spacing teats, and with projections for distributing the column of air passing between the lates.

2. A ra 'ator having a plurality of headers each having an expansion chamber, one wall of which is provided with a flared aperture and the opposite wall of which is provided with a shouldered aperture, in combination with tubes connectin said headers the ends of said tubes being ared to cooperate with the walls of the flared apertures, and a closure for the shouldered aperture.

"3. A radiator composed of two hollow end members each formed of a single piece casting and each member having a supporting web integral therewith and extending therefrom in the plane of its front wall, and each member having in one side an opening for the attachment of a conduit pipe, and in its opposite side having apertures for the reception of they ends of connecting tubes, in combination with tubes connecting the two members together, the tubes being provided with a plurality of'radiating plates or fins sleeved thereon.

4. A radiator composed of two like hollow members each having its interior divided into two separate steam chambers, and each member having one of its chambers provided with an aperture in one ofits faces for the admission of a conduit, in combination with tubes connecting the two members, and having their ends entering the other steam chamber of each member at the inner wall thereof,

and radiating plates sleeved upon the tubes.

MICHAEL J. CALLAHAN.

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