WO2006085084A1

WO2006085084A1 - Demountable heat-exchange element

Info

Publication number: WO2006085084A1
Application number: PCT/GB2006/000461
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adrian Meynell Vale
Original assignee: Adrian Meynell Vale
Priority date: 2005-02-11
Filing date: 2006-02-09
Publication date: 2006-08-17
Also published as: CA2601921A1; GB2410545A; GB0502911D0; GB2410545B

Abstract

A demountable heat-exchange element (15) for locating in thermal contact with a central heating radiator (10) to enhance the heat output thereof is provided. The element (15) may be formed from a heat-conductive material and may be shaped so as to provide, in combination with the surface of the radiator (10) itself, an enlarged heat-exchange surface area and, preferably, convection pathways to encourage air, heated by contact with the radiator (10) or the element (15) in thermal contact therewith, to improve the effectiveness in the heating of the ambient air in the locality of the radiator (10) when the element (15) is mounted thereon.

Description

Demountable heat-exchange element

This invention relates to central heating radiators and provides a demountable heat-exchange element to enhance the heat output of the radiator.

In most environments, whether domestic or industrial, central heating radiators are controlled by a thermostat disposed at a suitable location in the building and operatively connected to a pump which circulates heat exchange fluid, usually water, throughout the system including all radiators with their valves in the open condition. Optionally, individual radiators may be equipped with thermostatically-controlled valves, the effect of which is to isolate the radiator from receiving further heated water when the sensor in the thermostatic valve determines that the local ambient temperature has attained a predetermined threshold value, and to cause the valve to reopen to admit further heated water once the local ambient temperature falls below the threshold value. If further heat is required from a particular radiator, it is possible to adjust the thermostat valve so that it closes at a higher ambient temperature but, once the valve is set to its maximum position, no further heating may be obtained from the radiator in question except by raising the set temperature of the main controlling thermostat, which results in undesirably high temperatures in space zones of the building where such higher temperatures are not, in fact, required. Where a main controlling thermostat is not fitted, more heat may be obtained by adjustment of the setting of the boiler controller.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means for temporarily increasing or enhancing the heat output of a given radiator without altering thermostat or boiler settings.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a demountable heat-exchange element formed from a heat-conductive material mounted on and in contact with a surface of a central heating radiator, the element having ends maintained in contact with the radiator and the element being flexible whereby, in use, a surface of the element facing towards the radiator is subject to greater expansion forces than is a surface remote from the radiator, such that a central part of the element between the ends is urged towards and maintained in improved thermal contact with the radiator surface. The demountable element according to the invention may provide, for example by being shaped, in combination with the surface of the radiator itself, an enlarged heat-exchange surface area defining convection pathways to encourage air, heated by contact with the radiator or the element in thermal contact therewith, to improve the effectiveness in the heating of the ambient air in the locality of the radiator when the element is mounted thereon.

Optionally, demountable elements according to the present invention may be fabricated from two or more flat panel elements maintained in spaced-apart confronting relationship by spacer members which themselves are preferably heat-conducting and are disposed so as to provide, in conjunction with the elements themselves, heat-convection pathways. Such spacer elements, or any surface area-enhancing elements applied to the remote side of the or the outermost panel element, may be of any convenient shape, or disposed at any angle to the panel element, consistent with functional considerations in terms of enhancement of surface area, provision of heat-convecting pathways between panel elements, and the like, as well as aesthetic considerations relating to the appearance of the radiator including the demountable heat-exchange element.

Elements according to the invention may be formed from any suitable heat-conductive material to dimensions substantially to coincide with the entire surface of one side of the radiator, or a part thereof. Where the radiator is of conventional design with upper and lower longitudinal chambers defining the ends of vertical channels, the elements may be dimensioned so as to extend over the central part of the radiator incorporating the channel members, the upper and lower edges of the element being disposed adjacent the walls of the upper and lower chambers respectively, suitable provision being made for exit pathways for heated air between the channel surfaces and the panel element.

Elements according to the invention may be demountably attached to a radiator by means of suitable clips, brackets or other means, provided that end parts of the element are maintained in contact with the radiator itself and, preferably, so that the ends of the elements are themselves sufficiently rigid, or are sufficiently strongly attached to the radiator, that any tendency to thermal expansion at the radiator-facing surface results in more intimate contact between the central zone of the element and the radiator, rather than in the ends of the element becoming spaced from the radiator. Optionally, the elements include legs or feet, which may be height-adjustable, and a carrying handle. The carrying handle may be adapted to extend over the upper edge of the radiator to suspend the element from the radiator, this obviating the need for legs or feet. The carrying handle is optionally hingeably connected to the element for movement between a storage position and a suspension position.

In other aspects, the invention provides a method for increasing the heat output from a central heating radiator, the method comprising locating in contact with a surface of the radiator a flexible demountable heat-exchange element, the element having ends maintained in contact with the radiator whereby, in use, a surface of the element facing towards the radiator is subject to greater expansion forces than is a surface remote from the radiator, such that a central part of the element between the ends is urged towards and maintained in improved thermal contact with the radiator surface.

The invention may be used in conjunction with either water-filled or oil-filled radiators, whether of the pre-installed permanent type or the portable, electrically-heated type, hi order to save energy, the element according to the invention may easily be removed from the radiator. It is envisaged that the invention will be particularly useful in bathrooms, shower rooms or dressing rooms, where extra warmth is desirable especially during cold mornings.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is an end elevational view of a central heating radiator having a heat-exchange element mounted on and suspended therefrom.

With reference to the drawing, the radiator (10) consists of conventional lower (11) and upper (12) chambers connected and in communication by virtue of a central part (13) the front and rear surfaces of which are ribbed to enhance the area available for emission of heat. The rear surface carries housings (14) defining sockets to receive wall-mounted suspension brackets (not shown). A demountable heat-enhancing element (15) is suspended from and in contact with the radiator (10) by virtue of a carrying handle (16) the upper end (17) of which is shaped to engage over the top surface of the upper chamber (12). Optionally, the carrying handle (16) is length-adjustable to suit differently-dimensioned radiators; a lifting lug (18) may also be attached to the element (15) to make it easier manually to hoist the element into position on the radiator.

Claims

1. A demountable heat-exchange element formed from a heat-conductive material mounted on and in contact with a surface of a central heating radiator, the element having ends maintained in contact with the radiator and the element being flexible whereby, in use, a surface of the element facing towards the radiator is subject to greater expansion forces than is a surface remote from the radiator, such that a central part of the element between the ends is urged towards and maintained in improved thermal contact with the radiator surface.

2. An element according to claim 1, in which the element provides, in combination with the surface of the radiator, an enlarged heat-exchange surface area defining convection pathways for heated air.

3. An element according to claim 1 or claim 2, the element being fabricated from two or more flat panel elements maintained in spaced-apart confronting relationship by spacer members disposed so as to provide, in conjunction with the elements themselves, heat-convection pathways.

4. An element according to any preceding claim demountably attached to a radiator by attachment means at the ends thereof, the radiator having upper and lower chambers defining the ends of vertical channels forming a central part of the radiator and the element being dimensioned so as to extend over said central part of the radiator.

5. An element according to any preceding claim, including legs or feet which are optionally height adjustable.

6. An element according to any preceding claim including a carrying handle.

7. An element according to claim 6 as dependent on any of claims 1 to 4, in which the carrying handle includes suspension means to engage the upper edge of the radiator in use.

8. A method for increasing the heat output from a central heating radiator, the method comprising locating in contact with a surface of the radiator a flexible demountable heat-exchange element, the element having ends maintained in contact with the radiator whereby, in use, a surface of the element facing towards the radiator is subject to greater expansion forces than is a surface remote from the radiator, such that a central part of the element between the ends is urged towards and maintained in improved thermal contact with the radiator surface.