WO2010131272A1

WO2010131272A1 - Distribution and collection head for heating radiators with pipes, and manufacturing method

Info

Publication number: WO2010131272A1
Application number: PCT/IT2009/000209
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carlo Pelizzola
Original assignee: Stiliac S.P.A.
Priority date: 2009-05-12
Filing date: 2009-05-12
Publication date: 2010-11-18
Also published as: CN102428337B; PL2430384T3; EP2430384B1; EA019174B1; UA101100C2; EP2430384A1; TN2011000527A1; CN102428337A; EA201101614A1

Abstract

A (2,4) distribution and collection head for a heating radiator with pipes has an inner duct (20) fitted with a tubular insert (22). The body of the head is in die-cast aluminium alloy; the insert is in steel. In addition, the pipes are connected to the head by forced coupling, using the pipe extremity shaped in the form of a Morse cone.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Distribution and collection head for heating radiators with pipes, and manufacturing method"

[001] The present invention relates to a distribution and collection head for heating radiators with pipes as well as a manufacturing method of said head.

[002] A radiator of such type is composed of a pipe column, usually arranged vertically, formed of a number of pipes, and two heads, one positioned higher up and one lower down, connected to the pipes, so as to distribute the incoming water to them and collect the outgoing water from them.

[003] Numerous varieties of heating column radiators exist . [004] A first embodiment is a cast iron radiator composed of a number of modular units placed alongside each other.

Each modular unit is formed of vertical pipes and an upper cap and a lower cap, in one piece with the pipes.

[005] Such embodiment has the disadvantage of being very heavy, as well as requiring the creation of each single unit by casting, and therefore long production times.

[006] A further embodiment is a radiator formed of a number of pipes in plastic material and two heads for distribution and collection, also in plastic material, to which the pipes are connected. [007] Such embodiment has the disadvantage of being somewhat limited in efficiency, the plastic material used for the pipes having a low heat exchange coefficient compared to the cast iron. [008] In addition, such embodiments are subject to breakages and leaks due to the mechanical resistance characteristics of plastic materials.

[009] Embodiments also exist which have pipes and heads in aluminium; in the case of embodiments with the modular units in a single piece, the main difficulty is connected with the production of aluminium units by casting or die- casting with reduced thickness of the unit (maximum 100 millimetres) and long production times. [0010] The purpose of the present invention is to make a pipe column radiator, and especially a distribution and collection head for such radiator, which overcomes the drawbacks spoken of with reference to the known art . [0011] The characteristics and advantages of the radiator and of the head according to the invention will be evident from the description below, made by way of a non- limiting example of embodiment, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

[0012] - figures 1 and 2 show a plan view of two modular units for radiators according to the present invention, in accordance with two embodiment variations; [0013] - figures 3 and 4 respectively show two perspective views of the two modular units in figures 1 and 2; [0014] - figures 5 and 6 respectively show two perspective views of the two heads of the two modular units in figures 3 and 4;

[0015] - figures 7 and 8 respectively show two cross- section longitudinal views of the two heads in figures 5 and 6 ; [0016] - figures 9a and 9b show an enlargement of the connection extremity of a head with a connection extremity of a pipe, according to the present invention. [0017] A radiator according to the present invention comprises at least one modular unit 1 composed of a distribution head 2, a collection head 4 and a number of pipes 6.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the pipes 6 are made of welded steel, for example a Fe360 steel or Fe380 steel. According to a further embodiment, the pipes are made from aluminium or its alloys. [0019] The pipes extend mainly along a longitudinal axis X and the radiator is usually installed so that the pipes are positioned vertically.

[0020] The pipes are assembled to the heads 2, 4, that is they are made separately from the heads and then connected to them. In other words, the heads 2, 4 can be assembled to the pipes, made separately from them. [0021] The modular units 1 are positioned alongside each other transversally, that is along a transversal axis Z perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, in a variable number depending on the heating requirement, to form the radiator.

[0022] The head 2, 4 comprises a main body 10 which has openings 12 for connection to a respective pipe 6. [0023] For example, according to an embodiment, the head has three openings, for the connection of three pipes (figures 5 and 7) ; according to a further embodiment, the head has four openings, for the connection to four pipes (figures 6 and 8) . Further embodiments (not shown) have a single opening, two openings or more than four openings. [0024] As said, to form the radiator the modular units 1 are positioned alongside each other transversally, that is along the transversal axis Z perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the pipes. The lateral sides of the main body 10 thereby look onto the respective lateral sides of the head of a further modular unit .

[0025] On each lateral side, the head 2, 4 has a connection aperture 18.

[0026] Said connection aperture can be used for fluidic connection with the head of the further modular unit beside it or with the heating system or, if not used, can be closed with a stopper.

[0027] The main body 10 has an inner duct 20 for the fluidic connection of the connection apertures 18 and the openings 12 connected to the pipes 6. [0028] This way the hot water supplied from the heating system to the radiator reaches the distribution head 2 through the connection aperture, is distributed through the inner duct 20 to the openings 12 and is fed to the pipes 6. After going through the pipes 6 the water flows into the collection head 4 through the openings 12, through the inner duct 20 reaching the connection aperture where it is forwarded to the heating system for recirculation . [0029] At least one section of the inner duct 20 is composed of a tubular insert 22 in a reinforcement material, embedded in the main body 10 of the head 2, 4. [0030] As a result the head 2, 4 has a composite structure, wherein the inner duct has tubular sections with walls in a reinforcement material, embedded in a moulding cavity forming the remaining part of the main body, in a base material, different from the reinforcement material. [0031] For example, the head is composed of reinforcement sections of the inner duct formed of portions of pipe in metal material, for example in steel, embedded in a moulding cavity in base metal material, for example aluminium or its alloys.

[0032] The inner duct 20 comprises main sections 26 extending in a longitudinal direction X, in other words aligned with the pipe 6, an intermediate chamber 28 which extends in a transversal direction Z between the two connection apertures 18, and secondary sections 30 which connect the main sections to an intermediate chamber 28. [0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the secondary sections 30 which connect the main sections to an intermediate chamber 28 have said tubular inserts 22; preferably, in addition, the main sections 26 have said tubular inserts 22, for example made in one piece with the insert of the main section 26. [0034] According to a preferred embodiment, in addition, the tubular insert 22 extends as far as the opening 12 of the inner duct 20, and can be inserted in the terminal portion of the pipe.

[0035] For example, for the embodiment with three openings 12 (figure 7) , the two primary 26 and secondary 30 sections which supply the two lateral pipes have tubular inserts 22; in addition, the transversal chamber 29 is connected to the central opening of an intermediate duct 32, having a longitudinal direction, with no tubular insert . [0036] The intermediate duct 32, having a longitudinal extension, is preferably made using a core or block, for example mobile, during the die-casting procedure for creation of the head.

[0037] In a further example, for the four openings (12) version (figure 8) , the two primary 26 and secondary30 sections which feed the two lateral pipes have tubular inserts 22; in addition, the transversal chamber 29 is connected to the two central openings by two respective intermediate parallel ducts 32, having a longitudinal direction, both without tubular inserts.

[0038] In other words, for a head with a general number of openings, an intermediate chamber is provided for distributing or collecting the water, inside the main body; the intermediate ducts having a solely longitudinal extension, which connect some intermediate apertures to the intermediate chamber, are made directly during the die-casting procedure using blocks; the ducts having sections with a transversal extension, for the connection of the lateral apertures to the intermediate chamber, have at least said sections with a transversal extension fitted with tubular inserts and sections having a longitudinal extension lacking or provided with the tubular insert . [0039] For the connection of the pipe 6 to the head 2, 4, the insertion of the pipe extremity, suitably finished, δ for example without removal of the burr, is foreseen, by- flexible deformation, into an engagement portion 40 of the main body 10, which the opening 12 opens onto. [0040] The engagement portion 40 has, from the inside towards the opening 12, a first section 40a from which the tubular insert 22 protrudes, a divergent truncated cone-shaped flare 40b, a section with a slight conical divergence 40c, ending in a guide chamfer 4Od. [0041] The connection extremity 50 of the pipe 6 has, moving towards the insertion extremity, a convergent funnel section 50a and a slightly converging conical section 50b made, for example, like a Morse cone. [0042] When the connection extremity 50 of the pipe 6 is inserted in the connection portion 40 of the head 2, 4, the slightly conical section 50b of the pipe penetrates forcibly into the slightly conical section 40c of the portion 40 and the funnel section 50a of the pipe hits against the guide chamfer 4Od of the portion 40. [0043] A tight mechanical connection is formed between the pipe and the head.

[0044] Preferably, an adhesive is positioned between the connection extremity 50 of the pipe and the connection portion 40 of the head, to further reinforce the tight mechanical connection. [0045] The realisation of the radiator according to the present invention, is performed in the following phases :

[0046] - a tubular insert in reinforcement material is placed in a die-casting mould for the base material, in a position such as to form a section of the inner duct of the head;

[0047] - a die-cast is made so as to embed the insert in a moulding cavity of base material which the main body of the head is formed of; [0048] - the semi-finished head is extracted and any finishing process performed.

[0049] According to a preferred method of execution:

[0050] - a sacrificial pipe in reinforcement material is placed in a die-casting mould for the base material, in a position such as to form at least two reinforcement sections of the inner duct of the head;

[0051] - a die-cast is made so as to embed the sacrificial pipe in a moulding cavity of base material which the main body of the head is made of; [0052] - the semi-finished head is extracted and the excess portions of the sacrificial pipe are removed so as to form separate inserts to reinforce different sections of the inner duct ;

[0053] - any finishing process are performed. [0054] For example, according to such execution of the method :

[0055] - a sacrificial pipe in steel is placed in a die- casting mould for aluminium, in a position such that its extremity sections are destined to form the transversal or terminal sections of two portions of the inner duct destined for connection to the pipes;

[0056] - a die-cast is made so as to embed the sacrificial pipe in an aluminium moulding cavity which the main body of the head is made of; [0057] - the semi-finished head is extracted and the portion of the sacrificial pipe traversing the transversal chamber of the inner duct is removed so as to form separate inserts to reinforce different sections of the inner duct; creating by means of removal a fluidic continuity with the connection apertures;

[0058] - any further finishing process are performed. [0059] In addition, the extremities of the pipes 6 are formed, without removal of burr, by means of flexible deformation so as adopt the form described above for connection to the head.

[0060] The pipes are then connected by forced insertion into the head, forming the modular unit 1. [0061] Preferably, each modular unit 1 is formed of pipes 6 and of two identical heads connected to the extremities of the pipes, positioned symmetrically. [0062] Innovatively, the head and the radiator according to the present invention overcome the drawbacks of the known art and, particularly, ensure considerable lightness. Such aspect is of considerable importance for the sector, in that the transport and installation of the radiators is considerably facilitated.

[0063] Advantageously, in addition, the production costs of the heads according to the present invention are particularly low, about half of the production costs of the known heads today.

[0064] According to a further advantageous aspect , the heads are reversible, in other words identical heads are used at the two extremities of the pipes; this makes it possible to reduce the production costs and the number of components of the radiator.

[0065] Advantageously, in addition, the head and the radiator are considerably reliable, thanks to the mechanical characteristics of the materials used. [0066] According to a further advantageous aspect , there are no leaks of water, thanks to the efficiency of the connection between the heads and between the head and the pipes.

[0067] It is clear that a person skilled in the art may make modifications to the head and manufacturing method described above so as to satisfy contingent requirements. [0068] For example, the main body of the head, according to one embodiment variation, is in special thermoplastic material .

[0069] Such modifications are also included within the sphere of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Distribution or collection head (2,4) for a radiator for heating with pipes, made separately and which can be fitted to said pipes, comprising: - a main body (10) made in a base material, comprising: a) at least one connection portion (40) having an opening

(12) for connection to a pipe (6) ; c) at least one connection aperture (18) for connection to a further head; d) an inner duct (20) for connection of the connection aperture (18) with the opening (12) ; wherein at least one section of the inner duct (20) comprises a tubular insert (22) in a reinforcement material, for example different from the base material.

2. Head according to claim 1, wherein the main body is made in die-cast aluminium and the tubular insert is in steel.

3. Head according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein

- a longitudinal axis (X) is defined as the direction of insertion of the pipe (6) in the connection portion (40) and a transversal axis (Z) is defined perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis as the direction of approach of the head to a further head to form the radiator;

- the inner duct (20) comprises a) an intermediate chamber (28) extending along the transversal axis (Z) between two connection apertures (18) ; b) a primary section (26) extending along the longitudinal axis (X) and terminating in the opening (12) ; and c) a secondary section (30) connecting the primary section (26) and an intermediate chamber (28) , wherein a secondary section (30) , for example with an

, arched course, has said tubular insert 22) .

4. Head according to claim 3, wherein the primary section too has said tubular insert, in one piece with the insert of the secondary section.

5. Head according to any of the previous claims, wherein an extremity section (22a) of the insert (22) protrudes into the connection portion (40) and is concentric and internally distanced from the wall of the connection portion (40), for the insertion of the pipe.

6. Head according to any of the previous claims, wherein the main body is made by die-casting.

7. Head according to any of the claims from 3 to 5, wherein the main body is made by die-casting and has intermediate ducts (32) , which extend longitudinally between the relative openings (12) and the intermediate chamber, made using blocks during said die-casting.

8. Radiator comprising: - at least one modular unit (1) comprising: a) an identical distribution head (2) and a collection head (4) , made according to any of the previous claims; b) pipes (6) connected to the two heads (2,4) .

9. Radiator according to claim 8, wherein the extremity of the pipe to be inserted in the head has a truncated cone-shaped wall, for example of the Morse cone type, for forced coupling to the head.

10. Radiator comprising: - a distribution or collection head (2,4) comprising: a) at least one connection portion (40) , for example in die-cast aluminium, for the connection to a pipe (6) , having an opening (12) ; c) at least one connection aperture (18) for connection to a further head; d) an inner duct (20) for connection of the connection aperture (18) to the opening (12) ; at least one pipe (6) , for example in steel or aluminium, inserted in the connection portion (40) of the head; wherein the pipe is forced into the connection portion

(40) to make the connection. i

11. Radiator according to claim 10, wherein the extremity of the pipe to be inserted in the head has a truncated cone-shaped wall, for example of the Morse cone type, for the forced coupling to the head.

12. Radiator according to claim 10 or 11, wherein an adhesive is positioned between the connection portion (40) and the connection extremity (50) of the pipe.

13. Manufacturing method of a head (2,4) of a heating radiator, comprising the phases of:

- positioning a tubular insert (22) in reinforcement material in a die-casting mould, in a position destined to form a section of inner duct (20) of the head; - performing the die-casting, so as to embed the insert in a moulding cavity of a base material forming the main body of the head.

14. Manufacturing method of a head (2,4) of a heating radiator, comprising the phases of: - positioning a sacrificial pipe in reinforcement material in a die-casting mould, in a position destined to form at least two separate sections of an inner duct of the head; performing the die-casting, so as to embed the sacrificial pipe in a moulding cavity of a base material forming the main body of the head;

- extracting the semi-finished head and removing the excess portions of the sacrificial pipe, so as to make separate inserts to be used as reinforcements of different sections of the inner duct.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the further phase of forming the extremity of the pipe using a flexible deformation procedure and forcibly coupling it to the head is foreseen.