WO1996021827A1

WO1996021827A1 - Device for heating or cooling of a space

Info

Publication number: WO1996021827A1
Application number: PCT/SE1996/000014
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johnny Pehrsson
Original assignee: Novo Clima Ab
Priority date: 1995-01-11
Filing date: 1996-01-11
Publication date: 1996-07-18
Also published as: SE9500084D0; SE9500084L

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for heating or cooling of a space, comprising a sheet (1) and means (4) for guiding a medium of a given temperature, said means (4) being arranged in connection with the sheet (1) and heat being tramsitted from said means (4) to said sheet (1). The invention is characterized in that it comprises a fastening element (5; 15) which at least partially surrounds said means (4), and in that the sheet (1) comprises protruding elements (9) which cooperate with locking elements (11) for fastening of the fastening element (5; 15) against the sheet (1) so that said means (4) contacts the sheet (1). By means of the invention, a high heat conductivity between said means (4) and the sheet (1) is obtained.

Description

TITLE:

Device for heating or cooling of a space.

TECHNICAL FIELD:

The present invention relates to a device for heating or cooling of a space, according to the preamble of appended claim 1. In particular, the invention can be used in the field of panels for a false ceiling of a room, which panels are provided with pipe loops for heating or cooling of the room.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

In order to obtain a desired temperature in a room, different types of heating and cooling systems are used. One common way of heating or cooling a room is to arrange a separate false ceiling under the actual ceiling. The false ceiling may comprise a plurality of releasable panels. Such panels, or cassettes, may be arranged in different kinds of frameworks which can be fixed at a certain distance under the actual ceiling.

A panel which constitutes a part of such a false ceiling construction normally comprises a rectangular or square plate or sheet. It is normal practice to arrange heating or cooling elements in the form of pipes on top of said plate. In these pipes hot or cold water, for example, is guided so as to heat or refrigerate the room. The sheet is normally perforated, i.e. it is provided with a large number of holes, and is normally made of metal, for example steel or aluminium. Preferably, aluminium is used due to its high heat conductivity. The perforations provide an aesthetically attractive design of the panels. The perforations are also necessary from an acoustical point of view, since they provide absorption of sound waves from the room below. Sound-absorbing material, for example mineral wool, may also be arranged on top of the sheet so as to improve the acoustical properties .

A common problem in the field of false ceiling panels having a perforated sheet and a pipe loop for heating or cooling is the difficulty of obtaining a high heat conductivity from the pipe loop to the sheet. In this regard, it is important that the pipe loop is positioned immediately adjacent to the plate, whereby as high an area as possible of the pipe loop is in contact with the sheet. Besides obtaining a high heat conductivity from the pipe to the sheet, it is also difficult to obtain satisfactory acoustical and aesthetical properties at the same time and at a reasonable cost.

A particularly serious problem may arise in the field of panels of such large dimensions (in the order of 1,5 x 1,5 m) that they sag after having being mounted, due to their weight. In this case, there is a risk that parts of the pipe loop will be positioned too far away from the sheet. This leads to a greatly reduced heat conductivity from the pipe loop to the sheet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: A main purpose of the present invention is thus to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a panel for ceilings which provides optimal heat conductivity between a pipe loop and a sheet of a false ceiling panel. This is obtained by means of a device as initially mentioned, the characterizing features of which will be apparent from claim 1.

Through use of a panel construction having an aluminium sheet comprising protruding pins which can be inserted into holes in a "hat-shaped" fastening profile, which thereafter is locked by means of locking washers, a very good contact between the pipe loop and the sheet may be obtained. Furthermore, a simple and cheap assembly is provided, which also has good acoustical properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

The invention will be described in the following with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a detail of the device according to Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the alternative embodiment according to Fig. 3, and

Figs. 5 and 6 show yet another embodiment of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

Fig. 1 shows a device according to the present invention. According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a generally square metal sheet 1, preferably of aluminium. The sheet 1 is perforated, i.e. it comprises a large number of holes 2, preferably having a diameter of 2-3 mm. The holes are arranged along the surface of the sheet 1 with a spacing which is preferably 5-6 mm. According to the embodiment, the aluminium sheet 1 is approximately 1 mm thick. The aluminium sheet 1 is folded along its sides, thereby forming a frame or cassette 3 which comprises four generally equivalent gable sections, of which two gable sections are shown in Fig. 1. The outer dimensions of the cassette 3 correspond to the dimensions of a supporting framework (not shown) which is arranged under the ceiling in a room, which for example can be an office room. The typical dimensions for a cassette 3 according to the invention are for example 600 x 600 mm, 600 x 1200 mm, 600 x 1800 mm, 600 x 2400 mm, 300 x 1400 mm or 1400 x 1400 mm.

On top of the aluminium sheet 1 a pipe loop 4 is arranged, through which a medium for cooling or heating of the room can flow. According to the preferred embodiment, the pipe loop 4 is a copper pipe. Alternatively, another material having a high heat conductivity may be used for the pipe, such as for example zinc-plated iron. As a medium in the pipe loop, water having a temperature which is suitable for the application is preferably used. Thus, the heat of the medium will be conveyed via the pipe loop 4 to the aluminium sheet 1 and further to the room below through radiation (approximately 60% of the heat) and convection (approximately 40% of the heat).

The pipe loop 4 is fixed by means of a fastening element in the form of an essentially elongated "hat profile" 5 in order to fix the pipe loop 4 in a manner so that it contacts the aluminium sheet 1. This hat profile 5 is arranged on top of the pipe loop 4 and according to the embodiment it is divided into a plurality of sections which are dimensioned in accordance with the extension of the pipe loop 4. Each of these sections of the hat profile 5 comprises a longitudinally extending, generally U-shaped section 6 and two longitudinally extending flanges 7. According to the embodiment, the hat profile 5 is manufactured from a sheet of aluminium. Each flange 7 of the hat profile 5 comprises a plurality of holes 8 which are arranged at a predetermined distance. The holes 8 cooperate with protruding elements in the form of pins 9 which are arranged on one side of the aluminium sheet 1. According to the embodiment, these protruding pins 9 are arranged on the top side of the aluminium sheet 1 by means of welding.

Contact elements (not shown) for connection to connecting pipes 10 are arranged on each end of the pipe loop 4. By means of the connecting pipes 10, the heating or cooling medium in the pipe loop 4 may be fed to other pipe loops in adjacent cassettes.

Fig. 2 is a side view which shows in detail how the hat profile 5 can be arranged so that the pipe loop 4 becomes tightly fixed against the aluminium sheet 1. The pipe loop 4 is placed on top of the aluminium sheet 1, after which the hat profile 5 is placed on top of the pipe loop 4. In this connection, the pins 9 which protrude from the aluminium sheet 1 are inserted in the holes 8 which are formed along the flanges 7 of the hat profile 5. When the hat profile 5 is fitted so that each pin 9 protrudes through a corresponding hole 8, the hat profile 5 is locked by pressing down separate locking elements, in the form of washers 11, over each pin 9. Each of the locking washers 11 is essentially circular and may comprise a first portion 12 which is inclined in relation to the plane of the aluminium sheet 1, and a second portion 13 which is essentially parallel with the plane of the aluminium sheet 1 and which is intended to contact the flange 7 and press it against the aluminium sheet 1.

The washers 11, which are known per se, are of the self- locking type which can be locked by pressing them onto each respective pin 9. According to alternative embodiments, the washers 11 can also be welded or soldered to the pins 9. In this manner, the washers 11 press against the hat profile 5, which in turn tightens the hat profile 5 on the pipe loop 4 so that a close contact between the pipe loop and the aluminium sheet 1 is provided.

Furthermore, heat-insulating and/or sound-absorbing material 14, preferably in the form of a layer of mineral wool or another material having suitable insulation and sound attenuating properties, is preferably arranged on top of the aluminium sheet 1 and the hat profile 5. In this manner, a more effective heat transfer from the pipe loop 4 to the aluminium sheet 1 may be provided. Furthermore, the heat exchange with the space above the ceiling panel is reduced.

The pipe which forms the pipe loop 4 has a cross-section which for example can be round or oval. An arrangement comprising a pipe loop with a generally oval cross-section is preferred, since this implies that a larger proportion of the circumferential surface of the pipe loop 4 is in contact with the aluminium sheet 1. In this manner, an optimal heat conductivity from the loop 4 to the aluminium sheet 1 is provided.

Due to the fact that the sheet 1 is perforated (and due to the fact that sound-absorbing material 14 is provided above the sheet 1) , incident sound waves from underneath may pass through the sheet 1 and can be dampened. Thus, the device also has a sound-attenuating function, which is an advantage, especially when the invention is used in office environments and the like.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, comprising a sheet 1, preferably of aluminium, which is provided with a number of holes 2 (of which only a few are shown) . The sheet 1 is folded along the sides so as to form a frame 3. On top of the sheet 1, a pipe loop 4 is arranged, in a manner which is analoguous to that described above with reference to Fig. 1. On top of the pipe loop 4, a fastening element is arranged, which according to this alternative embodiment is constituted by laterally extending wires 15 which are attached to the pipe loop 4. The wires 15 are preferably made from steel and according to the embodiment they are fixed to the pipe loop 4 by means of welding.

In a manner which is analoguos to that described above with reference to Fig. 1, the aluminium sheet 1 comprises a plurality of protruding elements in the form of pins 9, which are arranged on the sheet 1, preferably by means of welding. The pins 9 are arranged in lines in connection with the pipe loop 4, according to that which is shown in Fig. 4. Gaps 16 are formed between the wires 15. The pins 9 protrude through these gaps. The height of the pins 9 exceeds the diameter of the pipe loop 4. In this manner, the pins 9 protrude through the gaps 16 between the wires 15, extending a small distance above the wires 15.

Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of the device according to Fig. 3. The pipe loop 4 and the wires 15 are arranged on top of the aluminium sheet 1. A number of pins

9 are arranged on each side of the pipe loop 4. Two of these pins 9 are shown in Fig. 4. According to the embodiment, the pins 9 are welded to the aluminium sheet 1. The wires 15 and the pipe loop 4 associated therewith are fixed by arranging locking elements in the form of washers

11 on each pin 9. The locking washers 11 are locked in the same manner as has been described above with reference to

Fig. 2. In this manner, the pipe loop 4 and the wires 15 welded thereto are pressed against the aluminium sheet 1 so as to provide a high heat conductivity from the pipe loop 4 to the aluminium sheet 1.

It will be realized that the size of the washers 11 must be adapted to the size of the gaps 16 between the wires 15 (see also Fig. 3) .

Furthermore, a layer of heat-insulating and/or sound- absorbing material 14 may be arranged on top of the wires 15.

In certain cases, the above-mentioned welded pins (so- called pin-spots) are difficult or unsuitable to use, for example when cooling or heating arrangements are to be provided in existing ceilings or when the ceiling material, the surface treatment solution, the degree of perforation or other reasons makes the welding of the pins to the ceiling material impossible to attain. In such cases, a cooling/heating ceiling can be obtained, albeit with a reduced cooling/heating capacity, by arranging a pipe loop convector in the ceiling cassette. This arrangement is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. This pipe loop convector consists of a pipe loop similar to that described above, but having a narrower gap between the centres of the pipes and having a "carpet" of wires on both sides of the pipes with a relatively small distance between the wires (5-25 mm). The narrow arrangement of the pipe and the large number of wires provide a large heat-radiating surface which, by means of radiation, convection and conduction, transmits heat/coolness to the upper side of the false ceiling cassette, through the cassette sheet, and further on to the room by means of radiation and convection.

The invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but may be varied within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the arrangement according to the invention is not limited to heating and cooling elements to be mounted on ceilings, but may in principle also be used for heating and cooling in cases of floor- or wall-mounting.

Furthermore, the pipe loop 4 may be constituted by a pipe of a suitable metal, for example copper or iron-. However, plastic or composite material can also be used. Different cross-sections of the pipe, such as circular, oval or D- shaped, can be used.

Furthermore, different types of protruding elements can be used, not only welded pins 9. Soldered elements or other types of protrusions are also possible. Furthermore, the washers can be arranged in many ways, for example by means of welding. Also, they may be constituted by nuts or similar elements having threads and which can be screwed onto corresponding external threads of the respective pin 9.

The underside of the aluminium sheet, i.e. the side which is visible from the room, is preferably surface-treated with wet paint, powder paint or structure paint which can also be arranged so that the perforations becomes invisible. Such a surface treatment can also be made with a lacquer of the moisture-absorbing type.

Finally, several types of profile shapes of the "hat profile" 5 are possible, for example a V-shaped, U-shaped or box-shaped cross-section. Important is that the hat profile 5 makes it possible to tighten the pipe loop 4 to the aluminium sheet 1 so that heat can be conveyed from the pipe loop 4 in an effective manner.

Claims

106505 PA 1996-05-17CLAIMS:

1. Device for heating or cooling of a space, comprising a sheet (1) and means (4) for guiding a medium of a given temperature, said means (4) being arranged in connection with the sheet (1) and heat being transmitted from said means (4) to said sheet (1), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it comprises a fastening element (5; 15) which at least partially surrounds said means (4), and in that the sheet (1) comprises protruding elements (9) which cooperate with locking elements (11) for fastening of the fastening element (5; 15) against the sheet (1) so that said means (4) contacts the sheet (1).

2. Device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the fastening element (5; 15) comprises openings

(8; 16) for insertion of said protruding elements (9), said fastening element (5; 15) being adapted to be locked between the locking element (11) and the sheet (1).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e ¬ r i z e d i n that said fastening element (5) comprises a generally elongated profile section (6) and at least one flange (7) which is adapted to be mounted on the sheet (1) .

4. Device according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said profile section (6) has an essentially U- shaped cross-section, the opening of the "U" facing the sheet ( 1) .

5. Device according to claim 1 or 2 , c h a r a c t e ¬ r i z e d i n that said fastening element (15) is constituted by a plurality of essentially wire-shaped elements (15) which are applied on said means (4).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said means (4) is formed by a pipe loop (4) extending in essentially the same plane as the sheet (1).

7. Device according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said pipe loop (4) has an essentially circular or oval cross-section.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the sheet (1) is made from aluminium.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the sheet (1) is perforated.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it comprises sound- absorbing and/or heat-insulating material (14).