WO1996024009A1

WO1996024009A1 - Radiant panel and structure comprising such panels

Info

Publication number: WO1996024009A1
Application number: PCT/NL1995/000020
Authority: WO
Inventors: Franciscus Hubertus Hekker
Original assignee: Hekker Holding B.V.
Priority date: 1995-01-16
Filing date: 1995-01-16
Publication date: 1996-08-08

Abstract

Radiant panel in which one side is provided with a border profile (2) for forming a duct half for receiving a line (11) therein, the border profile (2) being configured such that the whole duct has been formed by arranging one beside the other two corresponding parts with border profiles (2) formed as a mirror image, the border profile (2) being configured such that it engages over a line (11) introduced therein. The border profile is preferably formed from a flat plate and thus has wall parts which are inclined with respect to one another.

Description

Radiant panel and structure comprising such panels

The present invention relates to a radiant panel in which one side is provided with a border profile for forming a duct half for receiving a line therein, the border profile being configured such that the whole duct has been formed by arranging one beside the other two corresponding parts with border profiles formed as a mirror image.

Such a known radiant panel is often accommodated in a ceiling of a room for the purposes of heating and/or cooling this room. GB-A-2 152 970 describes, for example, a radiant panel which is provided with an elongate recess of round cross-section along the panel centre in order to receive therein the underside of a line of round cross-section for cooling and/or heating fluid. Said line is retained in the recess by means of a clamp. Another known radiant panel has, on the longitudinal borders, a profile which, along with a complementary profile on a corresponding panel, likewise forms a recess of round cross-section, likewise for receiving therein the underside of a line of round cross-section. The disadvantage with the known radiant panels is the relatively low energy-transfer capacity displayed by the panels. Consequently, a relatively large installed radiant-panel surface area is necessary, while the fluid circulating through the lines requires a relatively large temperature difference with respect to the radiant panel.

The intention of the present invention is to increase the energy-transfer capacity of radiant panels, while maintaining straightforward assembly of panels with lines. For this purpose, it is proposed to configure the border profiles such that they form a duct half which engages over the lines. As a result, a line received in the duct is encased fully or virtually fully by the border profiles. Surprisingly, it has turned out that the energy-transfer capacity of the radiant panel is improved considerably thereby.

In accordance with a further development, it is preferred if the border profiles are formed by folding initially flat plates. A duct with essentially flat sides which are at an angle with respect to one another is formed as a result. A line which has a number of sides in cross-section can be introduced into said duct. It has turned out that radiant panels with such a border profile combined with lines of a corresponding cross-section display a considerably improved energy-transfer capacity.

For example, the border profiles of two radiant panels which are pushed up against one another with the longitudinal sides form a square duct. In combination with a line with a square outer periphery which fits snugly into the duct, the energy-transfer capacity is virtually doubled with respect to known radiant panels.

Furthermore, the practice of forming the border profiles by folding a flat plate, integrated with the radiant panel, provides a neat exterior, which is beneficial for the appearance of a ceiling or other type of wall made up of such panels.

The invention is explained in detail herembelow by way of a non-restrictive exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a view, partly in perspective, of two panels according to the present invention which are to be assembled together, a fastening clamp being represented in the mounted state at a distance from the panels;

Figure 2 shows a view, partly in perspective, of three panels according to the invention in question, the panels being shown in conjunction with lines which are to be connected thereto and are intended for heating and/or cooling purposes; and

Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the suspension of the panels according to the invention, in cross-section. Figure 1 shows two panels according to the invention, which are partly broken away. As represented, each panel 1 has border profiles 2 which extend along its longitudinal borders and are essentially S-shaped. These border profiles 2, which are integrated in the panel 1 and are configured thereon by means of folding the initially flat plate, have an upright flange 3 adjoining the panel. The side remote from the panel 1 is adjoined by the free end of a leg 4 of an essentially U-shaped profile 5, such that said leg 4 runs inwards, from the flange 3, with respect to the panel 1. The legs 4, 6 of the U-shaped profile 5 are of essentially the same length. The body 7 of the U-shaped profile 5 is aligned essentially parallel to the flange 3 and runs inwards, from said flange 3, such that it is offset with respect to the panel 1 over the length of the leg 4.

As Figure 1 shows, panels 1 may be positioned against one another with the mutually facing longitudinal sides such that the upright flanges 3 of the border profiles 2 thereof rest against one another. In this position, the two U-shaped profiles 5 enclose a duct of essentially rectangular cross-section. Clamping brackets 8, of which one is shown in Figure 1 , may be used for connecting the panels 1 to one another. For this purpose the clamping bracket 8 has a U-shaped cross-section and is produced from a resilient material, for example from stainless steel. The legs of said profile run slightly inwards from the body of the same, in order that the article which is to be clamped remains clamped therebetween. As represented, the leg ends remote from the body of the U-shaped clamping bracket 8 are bent outwards around the bending line 9. If the upright flanges 3 of two adjoining panels 1 are pushed up against one another, then such a clamping bracket 8, in the position represented in Figure 1, can be forced, with its legs on both sides of the respective bodies 7 of the U-shaped profiles 5, onto the mutually facing border profiles 2. The bent-out ends of the legs of the U-shaped bracket 8 make it possible for the latter to position itself, and the legs of the clamping bracket 8 are dimensioned such that, in the mounted position, the bending line engages beneath the leg 4 of the respective U-shaped profiles 5 of each border profile 2. In this manner, a latch-in connection which is relatively easy to produce and release again can be achieved between the individual panels 1 by means of one or more clamping brackets 8. Figure 2 shows, schematically, how the U-shaped profiles 5 of the border profiles 2 can enclose a line, which preferably has an outer cross-sectional shape and dimensions corresponding to those of the duct formed by the U-shaped profiles 5. As Figure 2 further shows, the body 7 and the leg 6 of each U-shaped profile 5 are in each case cut away at the ends of each panel 1 , thus providing space for the lines 11 to be connected to further lines. For this purpose, the line 11 has a bent end provided with a connection nipple 12 for connection to a following line. In this manner, in the case of a series of panels 1 fitted one beside the other according to Figure 2, a system of lines which snake between the ends of the panels 1 is achieved. Of course, such a line system may be constructed from a continuous line which is previously bent in a snaking or serpentine form and around which in each case the U-shaped profiles 5 of the border profiles 2 are pushed. It is important, for a good heat-transfer contact between the line 11 and the panel 1 , that the individual parts of the border profiles are formed such that the mutually facing border profiles of two panels which have been pushed up against one another with the longitudinal side form an essentially closed duct, as seen in cross- section, in order to receive a line therein. The parts of the border profiles are preferably folded over to the greatest possible extent through a 90° angle, for example by means of edge working, for a profile shape with tolerance differences which are as low as possible.

Figure 3 shows, schematically, the manner of suspending the panels, for example on a ceiling of a building. For this purpose, vertically hanging suspension rods 13 are fastened, in accordance with a specific regular pattern, at regular mutual intervals on the ceiling (not shown). Each rod 13 (of which one can be seen in Figure 3) has, on its underside, a U-shaped profile part 14 whose legs are oriented towards the ceiling. Continuous profiles 15, of which one is represented in Figure 3 and which run parallel to one another at regular intervals, are connected to the rods 13 by the U-shaped profile parts 14. For this purpose, the continuous profile 15 likewise essentially has a U-shape, the legs of which are offset inwards at the free end in order to enclose the ends of the legs of the U-shaped profile 14, as is shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, the body of the continuous profile 15 is continued past the legs on both sides. These continuations each form a support 16. In each case the ends of the panels 1 may be positioned on these supports. This manner of suspending the panels 1, on, for example, a ceiling differs from the conventional manner, in which first of all the lines 11 are suspended directly on the ceiling via vertically hanging rods and the panels are fastened on the lines thereafter. In comparison with the conventional manner of suspending the panels, this work is now more straightforward, while the parts which are visible, such as the underside of the panels 1 and the continuous profiles 15, can be aligned more accurately, so that the panel structure has a neater appearance.

Of course, variants of the exemplary embodiments described and shown here which likewise lie within the context of the invention are conceivable. For instance, the border profiles 2 may be of a different configuration, for example they may be configured by rolling instead of edge working. Consequently, the U-shaped profile 5 may, for example, also be configured to be a semicircle or half-ellipse or half-parabola in cross-section. The legs 6 of the U- shaped profile 5 may, for example, also be shorter than the leg 4, as a result of which the duct formed by two profile parts 2 which have been positioned against one another is not fully enclosed. The surface area in contact with a line 11 is thus somewhat smaller, the heat-transfer capacity thus likewise being smaller. Furthermore, it is also possible, for example, to dispense with the upright flange 3. It is important that a profile half is formed on the longitudinal borders of a panel 1, which profile half, together with a complementary profile half on the longitudinal side of a following panel which has been pushed up against the first-mentioned longitudinal side, essentially encloses a duct in which a line can be received, such that said profile parts engage over such a line. Variants may also be conceived for fastening the panels on, for example, a ceiling, as is represented in Figure 3. The important factor here is to create supports 16 on which the ends of the panels 1 come to be positioned directly. Furthermore, the bent end of each line 11 may be replaced, for example, by a separate, easily bendable hose or tube part of, for example, round cross-section. For this purpose, use may be made, for example, of a flexible metal tube, for example consisting of stainless steel. Furthermore, use may be made of straight lines 11 which are connected to one another by the individual hose or tube parts. Connection takes place, once again, via the nipples 12 or an equivalent device. In this manner, production can be simplified and dimensional inaccuracies are easier to rectify.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Radiant panel ( 1 ) in which one side is provided with a border profile (2) for forming a duct half for receiving a line (11) therein, the border profile being configured such that the whole duct has been formed by arranging one beside the other two corresponding parts (1) with border profiles (2) formed as a mirror image, characterized in that the border profile (2) is configured such that it engages over a line (11) introduced therein.

2. Radiant panel (1) according to Claim 1, in which the border profile (2) comprises an essentially U-shaped profile part (5) whose legs (4, 6) are of essentially equal lengths, and the enclosed duct half opens to the side of the panel-like part (1).

3. Panel (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the border profile has a flange (3) which stands upright from the panel-like part (1) and above which the duct half is located.

4. Panel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the parts of the border profile are offset by essentially 90°.

5. Panel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the border profile (2) is essentially S-shaped.

6. Panel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the border profile (2) encloses essentially a half-rectangle, a semicircle, a half-ellipse or a half-parabola.

7. Panel (1 ) according to one of the preceding Claims 3 to 6 inclusive, in which the duct half is offset inwards with respect to the upright flange (3).

8. Structure comprising panels (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the radiant panels are pushed up against one another in each case with the sides with the border profiles (2) positioned towards one another, such that two mutually facing border profiles (2) form the mirror image of one another, and in which the panels (1) rest, by means of the ends, on free-hanging support flanges (16), while the lines (11) received by the border profiles (2) are supported exclusively by the radiant panels (1).

9. Structure according to Claim 8, in which said structure forms a ceiling of a room, in which the radiant panels consist of metal, and the lines (11) are connected to a cooling and/or heating source.

10. Structure according to Claim 8 or 9, in which the exterior shape of the cross-section of the lines (11) and the shape of the enclosed duct are dimensioned such that the lines (11) are enclosed snugly by the border profiles (2) located on both sides thereof.