WO2010004350A2

WO2010004350A2 - A radiator having control means

Info

Publication number: WO2010004350A2
Application number: PCT/GB2009/051092
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Terence Crilly
Original assignee: John Terence Crilly
Priority date: 2008-07-11
Filing date: 2009-08-28
Publication date: 2010-01-14
Also published as: WO2010004350A3; WO2010004350A8

Abstract

A radiator(1), for a building heating system, having an inlet (7)and an outlet (8), wherein the radiator(1) has a first valve (25) which is operable between a first 5 position, in which fluid can flow through the inlet (7)and a second position, in which fluid cannotflow out ofthe radiator through the inlet (7), and a second valve(26) which is operable between a first position, in which fluid can flow through the outlet (8), and a second position in which fluid cannot flowout ofthe radiator through the outlet (8).

Description

A Radiator Having Control Means

BACKGROUND Technical Field The present invention relates to an improved radiator for use in a building's heating system.

Description of Related Art

A conventional hot water radiator, for use in a building, generally comprises a sealed hollow metal panel structure. Hot water from a supply pipe of a building's heating system enters the radiator through an inlet and passes through the radiator. Heat from the water is transferred to the surroundings firstly by convection to the walls of the radiator, followed by conduction through the radiator walls and finally by radiation from the walls to the cooler surroundings. The air near the radiator is then heated, and produces a convection current in the room which draws colder air in the room towards the radiator, which is then subsequently heated.

This transfer of heat causes water in the radiator to cool. As a result, the density of this water increases, causing the water to sink to the bottom of the radiator, where it is forced through an outlet of the radiator into a return pipe and back into the heating system.

Radiators are conventionally connected to the supply and return pipes of a heating system via control valves provided on the pipes. If it is necessary to move a radiator, for example to decorate behind the radiator or to repair or replace it, then it is necessary to shut off the control valves, so as to isolate the radiator from the heating system.

The radiator is then detached from the supply and return pipes. At this point, water within the radiator, along with rust and sludge which may have built up, will tend to spill out of the inlet and outlet of the radiator onto the floor and surrounding area. It is therefore necessary to position a receptacle underneath the inlet to catch this in order to avoid damage to the floor or nearby decorations/appliances.

When the radiator is reconnected, it is full of air and so bleeding of air within the radiator is necessary.

Due to the above problems, removing a radiator and reinstalling it is a time consuming and cumbersome process. As a result, when a new building is being decorated, it is necessary from a practical point of view to wait to install any radiators until the decoration of the building is completed. As a result of this it is necessary, during construction of a new building, for a plumber to complete his work in two stages. The plumber first has to fix and install a boiler and copper feed pipes around the building. The plumber must then wait until decoration of the building has been completed before installing the radiators. This adds expense for the property developer and is inconvenient for the plumber and other professionals who have to work in a cold building. A cold building specifically creates a problem for plasterers, whose speed of work is dependent on how fast plaster dries. Also, conventional central heating radiators are typically made of mild steel which corrodes when exposed to water.

A problem with such radiators is that water within the radiator corrodes the metal, resulting in a build up of rust and sludge within the radiator over time. This build up decreases the efficiency of heat transfer from the radiator and can travel through the return pipe of a heating system to other parts of the system. If this build up enters components of the heating system, such as a circulation pump, then this can decrease the life of the components.

Since conventional radiators are made of steel, they are heavy and therefore difficult to lift and transport. This is especially the case when a radiator is full of water, which adds to the weight of the radiator.

Due to this problem, it is necessary for radiators to be installed prior to being filled with water. Once a radiator is installed, control valves provided on supply and return pipes of a heating system are opened, allowing water to flow into the radiator from the heating system. However, by doing this, a large amount of air is trapped within the radiator, as the radiator fills with water, and therefore bleeding of this air from the radiator is necessary.

It is the object of embodiments of the present invention to overcome, or at least reduce, the problems discussed above. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a radiator for a building heating system, said radiator comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the radiator comprises a first control means which is operable between a first state, in which fluid can flow through the inlet and a second state, in which fluid cannot flow out of the radiator through the inlet, and a second control means which is operable between a first state, in which fluid can flow through the outlet, and a second state in which fluid cannot flow out of the radiator through the outlet.

The radiator inlet is preferably connectable to a supply pipe, of the building heating system, which provides a supply of heated fluid.

The radiator outlet is preferably connectable to a return pipe, of the building heating system, which returns fluid to the heating system.

Preferably, when in the second state, the first and second control means prevent fluid flow in either direction through the radiator inlet and outlet respectively.

The radiator may have the shape of a conventional panel radiator having first and second side ends, a top face, a bottom face, a front face and a rear face.

The front and rear face of the radiator may be of a generally rectangular shape and may extend parallel to each other in a length direction. The front and rear faces may be generally rectangular, ribbed surfaces. The space between the front and rear surfaces preferably defines a number of internal channels within the radiator, distributed across the length of the radiator. The channels are preferably spaced apart in the length direction, extend substantially from the top to the bottom of the radiator and are substantially parallel to each other.

Once the radiator has been isolated from the heating system, for example by closing control valves provided on the supply and return pipes of the heating system, the first and second control means may be closed. The fluid within the radiator is then completely sealed within the radiator. As a result, the radiator may be disconnected from the supply and return pipes without danger of spilling of fluid, rust and sludge from the radiator onto the floor.

The radiator can then be removed to a convenient location for draining, cleaning and refilling, with minimal bleeding of air on reinstallation of the radiator. Alternatively, the radiator can simply be reinstalled without any draining, refilling or bleeding of air, for example following decoration of a wall that the radiator was mounted on.

The radiator preferably comprises inlet and outlet channels which extend, respectively, from the inlet and outlet into the body of the radiator. The first and second control means are preferably arranged to control flow of fluid through the inlet and outlet channels.

Preferably the control means are disposed within the body of the radiator.

The first and/or second control means may be a valve. The valves are preferably disposed in the inlet and outlet channels. Each valve may comprise a valve body and a valve member operable to control the flow of fluid through the valve body. The valve body may be formed by the body of the radiator.

In one embodiment, a first bore extends from the front face to the rear face of the radiator, intersecting the inlet channel, and terminates as apertures on the front and rear faces of the radiator respectively.

A first valve member is housed within the first bore. The first valve member comprises a generally cylindrical body. An aperture, which may be of substantially circular cross section, extends throughout the first valve member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve member. The aperture in the first valve member is of substantially similar diameter to that of the inlet channel.

The first valve member is rotatable within the first bore. As the first valve member is rotated, the degree of alignment of the aperture in the first valve member with the inlet channel is varied. The first valve member may be rotated to a first position such that the aperture in the first valve member is aligned with the inlet channel. In this case, fluid may flow from the supply pipe of the heating system, through the first valve member and into the radiator.

The first valve member may be rotated to a second position such that the channel in the first valve member is not aligned with the inlet channel. In this case, fluid cannot flow through the first valve member into the internal chambers of the radiator from the supply pipe of the heating system.

The first valve member is provided with a rotation means arranged to allow a user to rotate the first valve member. The rotation means comprises at least one protrusion provided on an end face of the first valve member.

The first valve member is provided with a sealing means for forming a seal between the first valve member and radiator body in which it is installed. The sealing means is an O-ring extending around the circumference of the valve member. Preferably the sealing means is a pair of spaced apart O-rings, each extending around the circumference of the valve member, one at each end of the valve member. The O- rings may be disposed in channels extending around the circumference of the valve member. The sealing means seeks to prevent fluid escaping from the radiator at the interface been the valve member and the radiator body in which it is installed.

A portion of the first valve member, towards a first end of the valve member, protrudes in the radial direction to form a lip. The lip is arranged such that when the valve member is inserted into the first bore, the lip abuts against an outer face of the radiator, limiting the extent to which the valve member may pass into the bore.

The valve member is provided, towards a second end, with a groove extending around the circumference of the valve member. When the valve member is inserted into the first bore, the second end of the valve member protrudes beyond a rear face of the radiator. A generally resilient circular clip is housed within the groove. The clip may be arranged such that it abuts against the rear face of the radiator, when the valve member is housed within the bore. The clamping action of the clip and lip preferably acts to retain the valve member within the bore.

A washer may be provided between the clip and the rear face of the radiator. The washer reduces the wear of the clip on the rear face of the radiator.

The radiator is provided with a second bore which extends from the front face to the rear face of the radiator, intersects with the outlet channel, and terminates as apertures provided on the front and rear faces of the radiator respectively.

A second valve member is housed within the second bore. The second valve member is of the same description as the first valve member.

The second valve member is preferably rotatable within the second bore. As the second valve member is rotated, the degree of alignment of the channel in the second valve member with the outlet channel is varied. The second valve member may be rotated to a first position such that the channel in the second valve member is aligned with the outlet channel. In this case, fluid may flow from the internal channels of the radiator, through the second valve member and into the return pipe of the heating system. The second valve member may be rotated to a second position such that the channel in the second valve member is not aligned with the outlet channel. In this case, fluid cannot flow from the internal channels of the radiator, through the second valve member and into the return pipe of the heating system.

The fluid is preferably water but may be steam or any other suitable fluid.

The radiator may be substantially moulded from a material.

The radiator may be moulded subsantially from a plastics material. Preferably the radiator is substantially moulded from a thermally conductive plastics material.

Alternatively, the radiator may be substantially moulded from a lightweight, injection mouldable material, which does not corrode in the presence of water. The material may be an injection mouldable metal alloy, such as that sold under the trademark Xyloy M950 by Cool Polymers, Inc.

Since such materials do not corrode in the presence of water, rust is not produced within the radiator. As a result, the efficiency of heat transfer from the radiator is maintained and the performance and lifetime of other heating system components is not compromised.

A radiator made substantially of a thermally conductive plastics material or another corrosion resistant lightweight, injection mouldable metal provides a radiator which is lighter in weight than a conventional steel radiator, allowing it to be easily lifted and transported, while retaining its function of transferring heat to its surroundings from heated fluid within the radiator.

Preferably the thermal conductivity of the material is greater than 0.2 W/mK. More preferably the thermal conductivity of the material is greater than 1 W/mK. Still more preferably the thermal conductivity of the material is greater than 20 W/mK.

The internal channels of the radiator may be a series of discreet adjacent fluid conduits of substantially circular cross section. At the top and bottom of the conduits the conduits may communicate with a laterally extending channel.

The radiator may be injection moulded or vacuum formed. The radiator may be formed as a single unitary piece. Alternatively the radiator 1 may be formed in two separate pieces which are then joined together, for example by welding.

The use of a structure having discrete internal conduits increases the structural integrity of the radiator as compared to conventional radiators. The structure can therefore usefully compensate for the inherent reduced strength of such materials over conventional metals.

Although the internal structure of the radiator is different from that of conventional radiators, the external appearance of the radiator is the same. Therefore the radiator can be lighter in weight and stronger than corresponding conventional metal radiators while maintaining a conventional appearance. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a radiator substantially moulded from a material.

Preferably the thermal conductivity of the material is greater than 0.2 W/mK. More preferably the thermal conductivity of the material is greater than 1 W/mK. Still more preferably the thermal conductivity of the material is greater than 20 W/mK. The radiator preferably has the shape of a conventional panel radiator, having first and second side ends, a top face, a bottom face, a front face and a rear face.

The front and rear face of the radiator may be of a generally rectangular shape and may extend parallel to each other in a length direction. The front and rear faces may be generally rectangular, ribbed surfaces. The space between the front and rear surfaces preferably defines a number of internal channels within the radiator, distributed across the length of the radiator. The channels are preferably spaced apart in the length direction, extend between the top and bottom of the radiator and are substantially parallel to each other.

The use of a structure having discrete internal conduits increases the structural integrity of the radiator as compared to conventional radiators. The structure can therefore usefully compensate for the inherent reduced strength of such materials over conventional metals. Although the internal structure of the radiator is different from that of conventional radiators, the external appearance of the radiator is the same. Therefore the radiator can be lighter in weight and stronger than corresponding conventional metal radiators while maintaining a conventional appearance.

All of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.

The terms inlet and outlet have been used for convenience. The direction of fluid flow through the radiator may be reversed so that the inlet and outlet become the outlet and inlet respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a radiator according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows an enlarged exploded view of the radiator of figure 1 in the region of an inlet of the radiator.

Figure 3 shows a side view of a valve member.

Figure 4 shows an end view of the valve member shown in figure 3; Figure 5 shows a top view of the valve member shown in figures 3 and 4; and

Figure 6 shows an end view of the valves shown in figures 3, 4 and 5.

Figure 7 shows a front view of the radiator shown in Figure 1.

Figure 8 shows a cross sectional view taken along the line 30 of Figure 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS In the drawings like reference numerals are used throughout to identify like features. The terms top, bottom, side and like terms are used for convenience and refer to the apparatus as shown in the drawings, but should not be taken as otherwise limiting.

Referring to Figures 1 to 8 there is shown a radiator 1 for a building heating system. The radiator 1 has the shape of a conventional panel radiator having first and second side ends 2, 3, a top face 4, a bottom face 5, a front face 6 and a rear face (not shown). The radiator 1 is provided with an inlet 7 and an outlet 8.

The front face 6 and rear face of the radiator 1 are of a generally rectangular shape, spaced apart and extend parallel to each other. The front face 6 and rear face are generally rectangular, ribbed surfaces. The space between the front face 6 and the rear face defines a number of internal channels 9 within the radiator 1, distributed across the length of the radiator 1. The channels 9 are spaced apart in the length direction, extend between the top 4 and bottom 5 of the radiator 1 and are substantially parallel to each other. The channels 9 may be open on either side such that water may flow between the channels 9 or they may be discretely formed, as shown in Figure 8. At the top and bottom of the channels, the channels communicate with a laterally extending channel.

The radiator 1 comprises an inlet channel 10 and an outlet channel 31, which extend, respectively, from the inlet 7 and outlet 8 into the body of the radiator 1. The inlet 7 is connected to a supply pipe 11 of the heating system. The outlet 8 is connected to a return pipe 12 of the heating system.

A first lower corner 13 of the radiator 1 is provided with a first bore 14 which extends from the front face 6 to the rear face of the radiator 1, intersects the inlet channel 10, and terminates as apertures provided on the front 6 and rear faces of the radiator 1 respectively.

A first valve 25 comprises a first valve member 15, and the radiator body. The first valve member 15 is housed within the first bore 14. The first valve member 15 comprises a generally cylindrical body. An aperture 16 of substantially circular cross section extends throughout the first valve member 15 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve member 15. The aperture 16 in the first valve member 15 is of substantially similar diameter to that of the inlet channel 10.

The first valve member 15 is rotatable within the first bore 14. As the first valve member 15 is rotated, the degree of alignment of the aperture 16 in the first valve member 15 with the inlet channel 10 is varied. The first valve member 15 may be rotated to a first position such that the aperture 16 in the first valve member 15 is aligned with the inlet channel 10. In this case, water may flow from the supply pipe 11 of the heating system, through the first valve member 15 and into the internal chambers 9 of the radiator 1.

The first valve member 15 may be rotated to a second position such that the aperture 16 in the first valve member 15 is not aligned with the inlet channel 10. In this case, water cannot flow through the first valve member 15 into the radiator 1 from the supply pipe 11 of the heating system.

The first valve member 15 is provided with a pair of protrusions 17 on an end face of the valve member 15. The protrusions 17 provide a means of manually rotating the valve member 15.

The first valve member 15 is provided with a sealing means comprising a pair of spaced apart O-rings 18, each disposed in channels extending around the circumference of the valve member 15. The O-rings 18 seek to prevent fluid escaping from the radiator 1 at the interface been the valve member 15 and the radiator body in which it is installed.

A portion of the first valve member 15, towards a first end of the valve member 15, protrudes in the radial direction to form a lip 19. The lip 19 is arranged such that when the valve member 15 is inserted into the first bore 14, the lip 19 abuts against the front outer face 6 of the radiator 1, limiting the extent to which the valve member 15 may pass into the bore 14. The valve member 15 is provided, towards a second end, with a groove 40 extending around the circumference of the valve member 15.

When the valve member 15 is housed within the bore 14, the second end of the valve member 15 protrudes beyond the rear face of the radiator 1. A generally resilient circular clip (circlip) 20 is housed within the groove 40. The clip 20 is arranged such that it abuts against the rear face of the radiator 1, when the valve member 15 is housed within the bore 14. The clamping action of the clip 20 and lip 19 acts to retain the valve member 15 within the bore 14.

A washer 21 is provided between the clip 20 and the rear face of the radiator 1. The washer 21 reduces the wear of the clip 20 on the rear face of the radiator 1.

A second lower corner 22 of the radiator 1 is provided with a second bore 32 which extends from the front face 6 to the rear face of the radiator 1, intersects with the outlet channel, and terminates as apertures provided on the front 6 and rear faces of the radiator 1 respectively.

A second valve 26 comprises a second valve member (not shown), and the radiator body. The second valve member 23 is housed within the second bore. The second valve member 23 is of a same description as the first valve member 15.

The second valve member 23 is preferably rotatable within the second bore. As the second valve member 23 is rotated, the degree of alignment of the channel in the second valve member with the outlet channel is varied. The second valve member 23 is rotated to a first position such that the channel in the second valve member 23 is aligned with the outlet channel. In this case, water may flow from the internal channels 9 of the radiator 1, through the second valve member 23 and into the return pipe 12 of the heating system.

The second valve member 23 may be rotated to a second position such that the channel in the second valve member 23 is not aligned with the outlet channel. In this case, water cannot flow from the internal channels 9 of the radiator 1, through the second valve member 23 and into the return pipe 12 of the heating system.

The second valve member 23 is provided with a sealing means, a clip and a washer in the same manner as the first valve.

When the first and second valves are closed, any water within the radiator 1 is then completely sealed within the radiator 1. As a result, the radiator 1 may be disconnected from a heating system, once the radiator 1 has been isolated from the heating system by closing control valves provided on the supply and return pipes 11, 12 of the heating system, without the danger of spilling water, or any rust or sludge which may have accumulated in the radiator 1, from the radiator 1 onto the surroundings.

The radiator 1 can then be removed to a convenient location for draining, cleaning and refilling, with minimal bleeding of air on reinstallation of the radiator 1. Alternatively, the radiator 1 can simply be reinstalled without any draining, refilling or bleeding of air, for example following decoration of a wall that the radiator 1 was mounted on.

Since the first and second valves are provided at positions proximal to the inlet 7 and outlet of the radiator 1 respectively, the amount of water that may become trapped when the control valves and first and second valve members are closed, between the control valves on the supply and return pipes 11, 12 of the heating system and the first and second valve members respectively is very small. The amount of water that may spill from the radiator 1 when it is uninstalled is therefore negligible.

The radiator 1 may be moulded from a thermally conductive plastics material. Plastics materials do not corrode when exposed to water, therefore rust is not produced within such a radiator. As a result, the efficiency of heat transfer from the radiator is maintained and the performance and lifetime of other components of the heating system is not compromised.

Alternatively the radiator 1 may be moulded from an injection mouldable metal or alloy, such as that sold under the trademark Xyloy M950.

The radiator 1 may be injection moulded or vacuum formed. The radiator 1 may be formed in two separate pieces which are then joined together, for example by welding.

A radiator made substantially of said materials is lighter in weight than a corresponding conventional metallic radiator, e.g. a corresponding steel radiator. This light weight allows the radiator to be easily lifted and transported while it is full of water. As previously explained, the valves 25, 26 allow the radiator 1 to retain the water inside it once the radiator 1 has been disconnected from the heating system. This is beneficial since it allows the radiator 1 to be disconnected from the heating system, removed and reinstalled again without having to drain the radiator 1.

As shown in Figure 8, the internal channels of the radiator 1 may be a series of discreet adjacent fluid conduits 9 of substantially circular cross section. At the top and bottom of the conduits 9, the conduits 9 communicate with a laterally extending channel (not shown).

The use of a structure having separate internal conduits 9 increases the structural integrity of the radiator 1 as compared to conventional radiators. The structure can therefore usefully compensate for the inherent reduced strength of plastics materials over metals.

Although the internal structure of the radiator 1 is different from that of conventional radiators, the external appearance of the radiator 1 is the same. Therefore the radiator 1 is lighter in weight and stronger than conventional radiators while maintaining a conventional appearance.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of the above embodiments, which are by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the invention.

Claims

1. A radiator for a building heating system, said radiator comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the radiator comprises a first control means which is operable between a first state, in which fluid can flow through the inlet and a second state, in which fluid cannot flow out of the radiator through the inlet, and a second control means which is operable between a first state, in which fluid can flow through the outlet, and a second state in which fluid cannot flow out of the radiator through the outlet.

2. The radiator according to claim 1 wherein, in the second state, the first and second control means prevent fluid flow in either direction through the radiator inlet and outlet respectively.

3. The radiator according to any preceding claim comprising inlet and outlet channels which extend, respectively, from the inlet and outlet into the body of the radiator and wherein the first and second control means are arranged to control flow of fluid through the inlet and outlet channels.

4. The radiator according to any preceding claim wherein the control means are disposed within the body of the radiator.

5. The radiator according to any preceding claim wherein the control means are disposed in the inlet and outlet channels.

6. The radiator according to any preceding claim wherein the first and second control means are valves.

7. The radiator according to claim 6 wherein each valve comprises a valve body and a valve member operable to control the flow of fluid through the valve body.

8. The radiator according to claim 7 wherein each valve body is formed by the body of the radiator.

9. The radiator according to either claims 7 or 8 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the valve members are housed in respective bores which extend from a front face to a rear face of the radiator, intersect the inlet and outlet channels respectively, and terminate as apertures provided on the front and rear faces of the radiator.

10. The radiator according to any of claims 7 to 9 wherein an aperture of circular cross section extends throughout each valve member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective valve member.

11. The radiator according to claim 10 wherein as each valve member is rotated, the degree of alignment of the aperture in the valve member with the inlet and outlet channels respectively is varied.

12. The radiator according to any of claims 7 to 11 wherein each valve member is provided with a rotation means arranged to allow a user to rotate the valve member.

13. The radiator according to any preceding claim, wherein the radiator is substantially moulded from a material.

14. The radiator according to claim 13, wherein the radiator is substantially moulded from a plastics material.

15. The radiator according to claim 13, radiator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the radiator is substantially moulded from a lightweight injection mouldable material.