US1973388A - Radiator structure - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 11,1934.- L. B. PENDLETON 1g973,383

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RADIATOR STRUCTURE Filed July 25. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet. 3

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RADIATOR STRUCTURE Filed'July 25; 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 11, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RADIATOR STRUCTURE Louis B. Pcndleton, St. Louis, Mo. Application July 25, 1932, Serial No. 624,385

15 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in radiating structures, and more particularly to improvements for obtaining a maximum effective area of radiation and convection in radiators of so-called sectional type, while reducing their space requirements.

An object of the present invention is attained in the provision of independent structures of highly conductive metal, capable of attachment to the assembled sections of radiators of prevailing types, in such a manner as to form auxiliary thermal conducting elements so constructed that they add appreciably to the heating surface of a radiator without objectionably increasing the outside dimensions or weight of such a radiator.

Another object of the invention is attained in the provision of auxiliary elements which may be readily and detachably secured to radiators of standard type for augmenting the effective heating surface thereof, and for producing an improved circulation of convection currents; along the sections of the radiator.

A further object of the invention is attained in an improved auxiliary attachment, susceptible of application to metal radiators of any of the usual types, and which is so constructed that there are not necessarily required any auxiliary fastening expedients such as bolts, rivets or the like, and hence such that no special skillor tools 9 are necessary for its application.

A still further object of the invention is attained in an improved arrangement of inlet and outlet connections to the radiator, such that a minimum overall space is required by the radiator, particularly a minimized necessary floor area, for a radiator of a given footage of heating surface. A particular example of a radiator constructed in accordance with this object of the invention, consists in a structure in which the intake and supply connections, and piping incidental thereto, are disposed inwardly and beheath, rather than at the ends of, the body of the radiator, according to practice heretofore prevailing. V 1

Yet another object of the invention is attained in the provision of auxiliary radiation elements, which possess a substantial inherent resilience; and are thus constructed so as to be self posif tioning with respect to the usual tubes or corre-' sponding elements of radiator structures.

A further object of the invention is attained in an improved result, from the point of View of a manufacturer or dealer of radiation elements, in that, through the use of the auxiliary heating attachments to be hereinafterdescribed, a minimum stock of standard radiator sections may be carried, together with a quantity of the auxiliary radiating attachments, whereby, through .selecftive combinations of but few dissimilar parts, a radiator may be constructed to meet any :given' heating requirement, yet employing only a few diiferent varieties of stock materials.

Further objects and advantages of the inven-' tion will appear as the description proceeds, and from the accompanying drawings, illustrating .a presently preferred embodiment of my invention.

In the drawings:

Fig 1 is a side elevation of a radiator constructed according to the present invention; Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical sections taken transversely of the radiator structure, as viewed respectively along lines 22 and 33 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a horizontal transverse section of a portion of the structure appearing in Fig. 1, and as viewed along line 4--4 in the direction indicated, Figs. 5 and 6 are elevations illustrating push nipples of the form and proportions preferably employed, respectively, as the lower and upper connections between adjacent radiator sections, and Fig. '7 is a side elevation resembling Fig. 1, but illustrating an alternate arrangement of supply and return fittings.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawings, the radiator chosen for illustration of the present invention, embodies a plurality of spaced, parallel sections 5, each consisting of a plurality, for example four, 'of vertical'parallel tubes 6, the tubes of each section terminating in an upper or outer headerportion '7, and a lower or' inner header portion 8. Extending transversely of one end, and centrally through each of the'sections, but'longitudinally of the radiator considered as a whole, is a passage 9 at the outer or upper end, a corresponding pa'ssage'being dis posed at the opposite or inner end of each section, as into the header portion 8; the latter passage being indicated at 10. By preference, the passage 10 isof substantially larger diameter or sectional area, than the passage 9, fora purpose hereinafter appearing. r v

As appears from Fig. 1, the sections 5 are, by present preference, disposed in spaced relation from each other, endwise of the radiator struc-' ture. This spacing is maintained, and the sections connected in assembled relation, through a series of shouldered push nipples 11 (Fig. 6) connecting the passages 9 in the upper or outer ends of the section, and a corresponding series of aligned nipples 12 (Fig. 5) extending into and interconnecting the passages 10, through the "his till

header portion 8 at the lower or inner end of each section. My preference is to employ shouldered push nipples rather than threaded connections between the sections, and to maintain the joints between the nipples and passages 9 and 12, in fluid tight assembly, through the use of tie rods 13, one of which is disposed along the upper or outer extremity of the assembly, a similar rod being by preference disposed near the lower end thereof. The ends of the tie rods 13 may be threaded and provided with nuts or the like, serving to hold the several sections and the nipples 11 and 12, in assembled relation. While not absolutely essential to the practice of certain other principles of the invention to be later discussed, I prefer to space the radiator sections in accordance with the dis-.

tance between the shouldersof eachof the nip ples l1 and 12, thus more desirably providing for vertical circulation of air between sections. It will be seen from the drawings that the diameter of the nipples is less than the diameterof the bosses usually employed between the sections at their points of connection; in fact the push nipples, particularly those at the upper ends of the section, are kept as small as possible consistent with good internal circulation, so as to minimize their obstructing effect with'respect to the rising air currents between the sections. I l

The construction of the shouldered nipples ap-- pears clearly in Figs. 5 and 6, from which it is seen that the push-ends-are of tapered diameter, while the intermediate portions are of even diameter. The shoulders may be grooved or machined, and successfully used without gaskets, although, if desired, some suitable form of packing material may be employed between the shoulders of the nipples and the bosses of the adjacent section.

The several sections 5 are preferably uniform, except for the sections at the ends of the radiator structure, which may be imperforate on one side, so as to constitute a closed end of each of the longitudinal passages formed collectively by the sections and the nipples 11 and 12.

According to preference, the intake or supply, and the outlet connections, are not made to the end sections of the radiator. Such prevailing practice is needlessly wasteful of floor area since the connection of the supply, and the radiator outlet or return to the ends of the outside or end radiator sections, increases the length of the structure as a whole.

, I have accordingly arranged the assembly for connection to the supply and return passages, at points other than the outer ends of the radiator assembly. To this end, my preference is to construct the section adjacent the end sections, to extend somewhat below the body of the radiator, thus forming an extra deep header portion 14, at the bottom of each penultimate section. It will be seen from Figs. 1 and 2, that the penultimate sections of deeper type, are each provided with a through opening 15 which may, as preferred, be threaded, so as to permit connection into either side thereof, of either the supply, or the return piping. The penultimate supply and return sec-'- tions, indicated generally at 16, may also be provided with legs 17, which in assembly, serve to support the radiator somewhat inwardly of its opposite ends. If desired, however, the legs 1'? may be omitted; and the radiator mounted on swing joints (not shown) so as to provide a structure of a type adapted to be tilted into and out of a wall recess, for example, in accordance with the principles setforth in my copending application of Serial No. 548,498,,filed July 3, 1931 which has now matured into Patent No. 1,927,991 issued Sept. 26, 1933.

In the example shown, Fig. 1 indicates an arrangement in which a supply pipe 18 is connected to a control valve 19, thence through a threaded nipple 20 into the opening 15 at one side of the supply section. An alternate arrangement is shown in Fig. 7, in which the supply nipple 20 would be connected inside of, rather than outside of the supply section 16. Since only one side of the passage 15 is employed at a time, the opposite side may be closed as by a threaded plug or like element, (not shown).

The relation between the return section 16 and the return piping, is closely analogous to that pre vailing between the supply line and the supply section. Fig. 1 shows, in full lines, a threaded nipple 21 connected into the outside of the return section. The nipple 21 is connected through a trap 22 having connection, in turn, with the return pipe 23. An alternate arrangement of the trap and return pipe appears in Fig. l.

Since the passage 10 of the supply section 16, overlies the passage from the supply pipe 20, it is my preference to make provision to prevent the return of condensate in a steam radiator, directly back into the supply piping. To this end I have provided a baffle member 24 in the supply section, of substantially V shape in outline, and having. divergent lower surfaces. The upper or outer surface of the baiile member is, according to the preferred arrangement, such that a trough-like portion therein forms a continuation of the passages formed by the nipples 12 and the lower portion of the passages 10 through the several assembled sections 5 and 16. It thus appears that, due to the provision of the baffle member 24:, a continuous water-trough or passage is formed at the lower portion ofthe conduit formed by the nipples 12, this passage leading into the return section 16.

From the foregoing it will appear that, by ar ranging the supply and return fittings and connections, entirely beneath the body of the radiator, the required floor area is keptat a minimum, and is not appreciably greater than that actually subtending the radiator proper. The arrangement described is of substantial advantage in the case of a radiator intended to be installed in a wall recess or wall cabinet, since the length of such a recess or cabinet may, by this expedient, be kept at a minimum.

Proceeding now toa description of the expedients for augmenting the eilective area of radiation, my preference is to employ, in detachable bridging relation between each adjacent pair of tubes of adjacent sections, an open side, trough-v like flue member indicated generally at 25. The ends of the member 25 are open, as best appears in Fig. 3, as is one or the innermost side wall. I prefer to form the opposite tube-engaging walls of each of the members 25, of a somewhat sharply angulate section, whereby to form a series of open sided air channels, the major corrugations in the side walls of the flue members being indicated at 26. The exposed face of each of the several members 25, is also preferably corrugated, on

somewhat closer centers, preferably, than in the case of the side walls 26. The exposed corrugations, which normally occur at the front or rear side of the radiator, may be of curvilinear contour as shown, and as indicated at 27. The individual flue members 25 are, by preference, formed of a metal, such as sheet copper or aluminum, characterized by a substantial degree of heat conductivity. It is also, my preference to employ a sheet metal of such gauge and temper that the formed elements display a substantial resilience. This feature enables the individual flue members such as 25, to be laterally compressed, sufficiently to enable their insertion between the adjacent aligned tubes of adjoining sections, in detachable bridging relation thereto, so as to dispense with the necessity of any bolts, holding straps-or the like, for maintaining the flue members in position. Obviously, if required for any special reason or in any unusual installation, any of the usual fastening expedients such as stove bolts, metal straps, bands or the like might be employed. It will alsobe obvious that the flue members may be constructed without corrugations, but remain perfectly-plain faced, and that the shape and form may be varied in a number of ways without departing from the underlying purpose.

As a means of preventing any accidental or casual displacement of the vertical flue members in a direction transversely of the radiator, it is my preference to provide lugs or projections such as 28, on the tubes 6, the lugs being say or" triangular section or aspect, and to form a corre sponding angular lug-engaging channel such as 29, in each of the opposite lateral faces of the individual flue members.

It will appear from the foregoing that, due to the inherent resilience of the sheet material from which the members 25 are formed, each flue is laterally resilient in either direction, that is, either crosswise of the radiator proper or endwise thereof. Thus the elements may be applied and brought into predetermined relation with l the tubes, even though there may be some variation in dimensions between centers of the tubes, either transversely or longitudinally of the radiator proper or perhaps a variation in the diameter of the radiator tubes. t will also appear that the several iiue elements 25 are self-positioned.

Where still further increase in effective radiating area is desired, I employ internally of each element 25, a flue of trcughlike open sided shape, and bifurcate aspect in section, characterii ized by opposed legs 31 having outwardly flared terminals 32, engaged in grooves 33 therefor, formed between the adjacent corrugations 2'7, internally of the enclosing element 25. element 30 is, by preference although not necessarily,

' characterized by opposed recessed portions or corrugations 34, a pair of each of which are provided on the opposite lateral. faces or legs of the element 30. The grooves or corrugations 34, as appears from Fig. t, serve to receive the edge or apex portions of the corrugations 26, in the member 25. The elements 30, like the elements 25, are preferably formed of resilient sheet material of high thermal conductivity, such as sheet copper or aluminum, and, as preferred, are also of substantial inherent resilience.

It will appear that, in assembly, the flue elements 30, while internal of the elements 25, are disposed in opposed relation thereto, the open sides of the paired elements Ell-25 being oppositely presented, whereby each of the companion flue elements serves as a lateral closure for the other element of the pair. The element 30, associated with its companion element 25, serves a further purpose in that, in assembly, the resilience of the flue 30 augments that of the cor. panion flue 25 and thus tends to wedge the legs or" the member 25 outwardly into close thermal contact with the adjacent tubes of the radiator proper.

The manner of assembly of the sections of the radiator of my preferred type, is thought to be apparent from Fig. 1. It may, however, be noted that the sections 5 and 16, being arranged in predetermined. sequence or order for assembly, the nipples 11 and 12 are disposed between each adjacent pair of sections, the tie rods 13 are inserted, nuts applied to the opposite ends of the tie rods and threaded up, after which the radiator proper is assembled ready for installation.

The manner of application of the flue elements 25, is thought to be apparent from Fig. from which it appears that between each longitudinally adjacent pair of tubes 6 there is inserted, preferably by sliding down endwise, the troughlike er 25. If desired, however, the flue members may usually be sprung suiiiciently to permit of their insertion by movement transversely into the space between the adjacent sections. If the additional auxiliary members 30 are desired, one thereof is inserted into each of the flue members 25, preferably after the latter is assembled in place, as by telescoping or sliding endwise, the member 30 into the associated member 25. As best appears from Fig. l, the described arrangement of auxiliary flue members offers a distinct advantage, in that while the auxiliary heating surfaces of the fines, are held in firm thermal conducting relation to the adjacent tube, the periphery of each of the individual tubes of the radiator proper, is substantially unobstructed, the normal radiating area thereof being left unimpaired to any appreciable degree, so that, while the radiating area may be augmented to any reasonable extent, the use of the auxiliary heating elements does not appre ciably detract from the initial radiating surface of the radiator to which the elements attached.

It will appear as a further advantage, that the fines or auxiliary elements 25 may, as desired, be applied only to the exposed side of the radiator. If it is then desired still further to augment the heating effect, the auxiliary elements may, in similar manner, be applied from the r ar sur face of the radiator. The corrugated metal. surface at the exposed side is ornamental, and adds, rather than detracts, from theappearance of the structure. Obviously, the metal may be varied in form or design and coated or finished in any color or manner desired.

It is also my preference, in installing the aux iliary heating flues such as 25 and/or. 30, to employ these elements in a len th somewhat less than the length or" the tubes comprising the body of the radiator proper, such as the steam or water conducting tubes 6. The ch s n relation, as to length, of the parts will appea rem Fig. i. arrangement has the advani e of leaving open ends of the flues entirely free andunobstructed by the connecting nipples located above and below their open ends, so that, in service, substantial convection currents are noticeable at all times through the auxiliary fines, as well through the radiator fiues. By employing a series of nipples 11, of a somewhat smaller diarn-- eter than the nipples 12, a free sweep of air outwardly of the top of the flue elements and the radiator sections, is aided, the relation also being such that the members 25 may be inserted by sliding downwardly from the top of the radiator between adjacent sections thereof without requiring any connections to be disturbed;

The description of the present example is pred icated upon the use of radiator sections which may be of usual cast iron types, since this is the type usually employed for domestic heating. This type of radiator is, however, very heavy in proportion to the footage of radiation area, and the present expedient enables, in either new or existing installations, the heating efiectiveness of usual types of cast iron radiator, to be much more than double, with only a few percent increase over the original weight, and with no increase in overall dimensions or fioor space required.

There results from the described combination of cast sections and sheet metal auxiliary radiation, a desirable heat-retaining effect of, the heavier cast tubes, coupled with avastly augmented radiation resulting, first, from the great area of exposed metal, and, secondly, from the provision of distinct connection fiues along, but without obstruction to, the tubular sections of the radiator proper.

As above mentioned, the facilities for augmenting as may be desired, the heating area of a radiator, enables a manufacturer, dealer or jobber, by stocking only a minimum number of types of apparatus, to supply at a minimum fixed charge, any reasonable footage of radiation desired by the customer. For example it is only necessary to stock a supply of sections 5, sections 16, and the two types of auxiliary heating elements indicated respectively at 25 and 30. From these parts can be assembled a radiator of any desired practical capacity.

It will appear that the foregoing specific decription relates to a presently preferred example, looted only by way of illustration, and not of limitation of my invention. It is obvious a number of changes may be made in the types of radiators to which the auxiliary heating elements are applied; that such elements may themselves be varied in construction and form, and that the foregoing as well as many other changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. An auxiliary radiating structure for use with radiators of sectional type, said structure including a furcate, transversely resilient member, adapted for disposition between and along adjacent radiator sections, and a wedging element disposed between the furcations of said auxiliary structure.

2. A tubular element for detachable application to a radiator of tubular sectional type, consisting of paired trough-like members in in verted nested relation.

3.1m attachment for radiators of sectional type in which the individual sections formed of spaced tubes for the circulation of a heating medium, said attachment including a furcate member formed of folded, resilient conductive sheet metal, and being of trough-like form, the sides of the trough-like structure being corrugated, with the corrugations thereof extending longitudinally of the structure, a second troughlike element of furcate section, having seats in its side walls for interengagement with the cor rugations of the first trough-like the second trough-like member being disposed internally of the first and in thermal contact thereto, whereby a folded portion of each trough structure constitutes a closure for the companion. structure.

t. In a radiator of sectional construction, a plurality of sections, air flues disposed between and along the sections, and a plurality of exposed, shouldered push nipples connecting the upper and lower ends of said sections, the upper nipples being of substantially smaller diameter than those connecting the lower ends of the sections.

5. A sectional type radiator having supply and return connections near its lowermost portion, and connected into separate sections each disposed inwardly of the end sections of the radiator.

6. A radiator of sectional type including a supply section and a return section, said supply and return sections being disposed inwardly of the ends of the radiator structure, and supply and return piping disposed below the radiator and inwardly of the ends thereof.

'7. A section for use in a sectional radiator, having an outer or upper passage therethrough, an intermediate passage therethrough and an inner or lower passage arranged selectively for connection into a supply or return line.

8. In a sectional type radiator, a supply section and a return section, additional sections disposed outwardly of the supply and return sections, and

battle member disposed near the lower end of said section and above the supply passage into the b .l "y of said section.

9. An auxiliary metal flue element or gill, adapted for detachable application to a heat radiator of vertical sectional type, said element having one side open over its length, and provided with open ends defining a cold air intake area and a air discharge, and characterized by absence of air-deflecting portions at or near its ends, the flue element being further provided with preformed longitudinal seats on its opposite sides, said seats being located near the normally exposed face of the element, whereby to permit the element to be disposed, in greater part, substantially within the lateral confines of the section with which it is employed.

10. An auxiliary metal flue element or gill adapted for detachable application to a heat radiator of vertical sectional type, said element having one side open over its length, being provided with open ends for the intake and diucharge of air, and characterized by absence of air-deflecting portions near said ends, said element being formed of sheet metal, channeled to define both internal and external longitudinal air passages, and to provide defined seating portions for engagement with adjacent radiator sections, said seating portions being located on the element so that the element is disposed, in greater part, between the sections of the radiator with which it is employed, and substantially within the lateral confines thereof.

11. In combination with a radiator of vertical sectional type, in which the sections are connected near their upper and lower ends, a hollow metal air flue element or gill, consisting of a structure open over its length on that side which is to be disposed innermost of the radiator, being open at its opposite ends to provide air intake and discharge areas and characterized by absence of air deflecting portions at or near its ends, the element being of such a length and so located as to dispose its intake area immediately above the lower interconnection of the sections, and its discharge areas below the upper interconnection of the sections.

12. In combination with a radiator of vertical sectional type, in which the sections are interconnected near their upper and lower ends, a hollow metal air-flue element or gill consisting of a structure open over its length, along that side which is to be disposed innermost of the radiator, the flue element being open at its opposite ends to provide air intake and discharge areas and characterized by absence of air-defiecting portions at or near its ends, the element being of such a length and so located in the radiator as to dispose its intake areas immediately above the lower interconnection of the sections and its discharge areas below, the upper interconnection of the sections, and companion longitudinal seats on the tube elements of the sections and the flue element, the seats on the flue element being disposed just inwardly of its normally exposed face, whereby to locate the fiue element, at least in greater part, within the lateral confines of the section and radiator with which it is employed.

13. A radiator of sectional type, including a section disposed inwardly of the end sections of the radiator and a plurality of connections on said section, enabling supply or return piping thereto to be extended in selective positions from said inwardly disposed section.

14. A radiator structure of sectional type including, with the radiator sections, supply and return valves and fittings, the supply and return piping and fittings being directed outwardly and endwise of the radiator and being confined within longitudinal dimensions not substantially exceeding the overall length of the sectional body 01 the radiator.

15. A radiator assembly including elements providing a plurality of heating-fluid passages, substantially vertical flue elements in thermal contact with said passages, supply and return connections communicating with the fluid passages, outwardly directed fittings communicating with said connections, said connections and fittings being connected into the fluid passages at points inwardly of the ends of the radiator, whereby substantially to restrict the dimensional requirements of said fittings to the overall length of the heating elements of the radiator.

LOUIS B. PENDLETON.

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