WO2011045653A2

WO2011045653A2 - Heating radiator element

Info

Publication number: WO2011045653A2
Application number: PCT/IB2010/002596
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francesco Franzoni
Original assignee: Fondital S.P.A.
Priority date: 2009-10-13
Filing date: 2010-10-12
Publication date: 2011-04-21
Also published as: EA201270543A1; IT1396201B1; ITMI20091749A1; CN102667388A; WO2011045653A3; EA021488B1; CN102667388B; EP2488815A2; UA108745C2

Abstract

A heating radiator element (1) comprises a base body (2), which extends substantially along a main axis (X) between two opposite axial ends provided with respective transverse connection sleeves (5), and at least one set (26) of fins (25), which extend from a side (9) of the body (2), are arranged on one side of a centre plane (P) of the element (1), extend along respective axes (A) substantially parallel to the main axis (X), and are separated by grooves (28); the number of the fins (25) and their surface are selected in such to way as to have high efficiency of heat exchange: the element (1) consequently comprises an adequate number of surface fins (25) sufficient to guarantee a good value of thermal yield.

Description

HEATING RADIATOR ELEMENT"

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a heating radiator element, in particular for heating buildings.

BACKGROUND ART

As is known, a heating radiator can be formed by a battery of elements coupled to one another to form a radiator of appropriate dimensions; each element has a body made of metal material, obtained inside which is a chamber, in which heating water circulates. Extending from the body are radiant plates and fins, via which the heat of the water is transferred to the environment in which the radiator is installed.

Even though radiator elements are known which have plates and fins variously shaped and distributed, the efficiency of known radiators still seems to present margins for improvement. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

An aim of the present invention is to provide a particularly efficient radiator element that is at one and the same time simple and relatively inexpensive to produce. The present invention consequently regards a radiator element, as defined, in essential terms, in the annexed Claim 1 and, in its additional features, in the dependent claims.

A radiator formed by elements in accordance with the invention has an efficiency higher than in other known solutions given the same surfaces of heat-exchange and/or weight: in fact, the particular configuration of the fins enables conditions of flow to be obtained that ensure a high efficiency of heat exchange .

The element of the invention can moreover be produced in a relatively simple and inexpensive way, and is suited also to being made, for example, of die-cast aluminium, hence being particularly convenient to produce. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge clearly from the ensuing description of a non- limiting example of embodiment thereof, with reference to the figures of the annexed drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a radiator element in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a partially sectioned schematic view of a detail of the radiator element of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a detail of a variant of the radiator element of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a radiator element according to a further embodiment of the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a radiator element 1 for heating buildings has a base body 2 made of metal material, in particular aluminium and, for example (but not necessarily) die-cast aluminium; the body 2 is a hollow body, comprising a substantially tubular main portion 3 extending longitudinally along a main axis X, which, with reference to the normal position of use of the element 1, is substantially vertical; the element 1 is provided with an inner chamber 4 for the passage of water and transverse connection sleeves 5 for connection to other radiator elements, and/or to a hydraulic circuit.

In Figure 1 designated by H is the axial distance (measured parallel to the axis X) between the sleeves 5; in particular, the distance H is the minimum distance between the sleeves 5, measured between respective mutually facing edges of the sleeves 5. In the non- limiting example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the body 2 has a front heat -exchange plate 6, basically facing, in use, the environment to be heated, and a rear heat- exchange plate 7, opposite to the front plate 6; the plates 6, 7 extend longitudinally along respective axes Z parallel to the axis X and substantially parallel to one another, and are connected to the main portion 3 by respective central longitudinal ribs 8, which are arranged basically in a centre plane P of the element 1, extend radially from the main portion 3, and are substantially orthogonal to the plates 6, 7.

The element 1 moreover has two opposite sides 9 (just one of which is visible in Figure 1) , which have respective opposite lateral surfaces 10: in the non-limiting example illustrated in Figures 1, 2 (but not necessarily) , the lateral surfaces 10 are defined by respective lateral surface portions of the main portion 3 and by respective faces of the ribs 8.

The plates 6, 7 are delimited by respective pairs of opposite longitudinal lateral edges 11 and by respective pairs of opposite faces 13, 14, for example (but not necessarily) , substantially plane and parallel; in particular, each plate 6, 7 has an inner face 13, facing the other plate, and an outer face 14, opposite to the inner face 13.

The element 1 comprises a plurality of fins 25, which extend from the body 2; in particular, the element comprises at least a first set 26 of fins 25, which extend from a side 9 and specifically from the lateral surface 10 of said side 9 and are arranged all on one side of the centre plane P of the element 1; preferably, the element 1 comprises two sets 26 of opposed fins 25, which extend from respective sides 9 and specifically from respective lateral surfaces 10 of the sides 9 and are set on opposite sides of the plane P. Described in what follows is a set 26 of fins 25 carried by a side 9; the fins 25 of the other set (optionally present) advantageously have a structure and an arrangement the same as or similar to and preferably symmetrical with respect to the fins of the set described; it remains in any case understood that the two sets 26 can also comprise fins 25 that are different as regards their shapes, dimensions, and/or arrangement .

The fins 25 of the set 26 extend basically in a longitudinal direction along the side 9 and along respective axes A substantially parallel to the axis X. The fins 25 are aligned along respective substantially parallel axes A and are separated by respective series of grooves 28.

The fins 25 are optionally, but not necessarily, arranged in rows 27 parallel to one another and to the axis X; that is, a number of fins 25 are aligned in a row 27. In the non-limiting example illustrated in Figure 1, the set 26 comprises at least two, and preferably at least three, adjacent rows 27 of fins 25 aligned along respective axes A substantially parallel to one another and to the main axis X and separated by respective series of grooves 28; the rows 27 are adjacent, that is, immediately consecutive, in a direction transverse to the axes A, without any other fins set between them.

In the non-limiting example illustrated in Figures 1, 2, the fins 25 are of a generically quadrilateral shape, optionally with curved edges and/or rounded edges; the grooves 28 are shaped substantially as slits set between two consecutive fins 25.

The element 1 can also have fins with curved parts, as illustrated in the top part of Figure 1: in what follows, it is understood that included in the set 26 are all the fins 25 that have at least one stretch that extends along an axis A parallel to the axis X.

More in general, however, each fin 25 has two opposite faces 31, which are, for example, substantially plane and parallel, and is delimited by a root edge 32 fixed to the side 9, which extends from the lateral surface 10 of the side 9, by a free- end edge 33 opposite to the root edge 32, and by two opposite lateral edges 34, 34' (bottom and top respectively), which connect the edges 32, 33. The edges 32, 33 may be substantially rectilinear or curved, and/or have rounded edges; they may be substantially parallel to one another or not, etc. Likewise, the edges 34, 34' may be substantially rectilinear or curved, and/or have rounded edges; they may be substantially parallel to one another or convergent or divergent, etc.

The bottom edge 34 of each fin 25 is, in use, impinged upon the ascending fluid (air) that rises in a direction parallel to the axis X (and to the axes A) , and the fin 25 has a highly effective heat-exchange precisely in the proximity of said edge 34. Given the same total surface of the fins 25, it is advantageous for the purposes of the efficiency of exchange to increase as much as possible the number of edges 34, keeping at the same time the size of each fin 25 sufficiently large for the air, which laps it and exchanges heat therewith at a given speed, to be able to remove the due amount of heat.

For this purpose, the element 1 comprises an adequate number of fins 25, which have a surface sufficient to guarantee a good value of thermal yield. In relation to the distance H referred to above, the minimum number of fins 25 present on a side 9 (belonging to the set 26) must be greater than H/33, where H is expressed in millimetres.

Furthermore, if the number of fins 25 is less than H/15, then the total surface of said fins 25 present on the side 9, expressed in square centimetres, must be higher than a value equal to the number of fins multiplied by 20. If, instead, the number of fins 25 is higher than H/15, the total surface of said fins 25 present on the side 9, expressed in square centimetres, must be higher than a value equal to the number of fins multiplied by 10. The surface of the individual fin 25 is calculated by adding the areas of the two faces 31 and of the edges 33, 34 and 34' .

To guarantee the effectiveness of the individual fin 25, it is necessary for the flow of air to impinge upon the edge 34, and this requires an adequate distance between the fin 25 and the next one possibly aligned thereto: for this reason, preferably, the grooves 28 have an axial length (along the axis A) greater than 10 mm. Given the same number of fins and surface of the fins it is desirable for them to be arranged along the entire length H in order to obtain the maximum thermal yield.

In the example of Figures 1-2, the fins 25 of the set 26 are arranged on two, three, four, or more adjacent rows 27 of fins 25 separated by grooves 28, and each of said rows 27:

- is formed by at least four fins 25, or rather contains at least four edges 34; and

- has a total axial length (measured along the axis A, and given by the sum of the lengths of each individual fin 25 of the row) at least equal to 0.2 times the distance H.

In various preferred embodiments, the two rows 27 of fins 25 separated by grooves 28 have a total axial length greater than or equal to 0.3 or else 0.4 or else 0.5 times the distance H. Preferably (but not necessarily) , the fins 25 are substantially orthogonal to the centre plane P, and/or substantially orthogonal to the lateral surface 10 of the side 9 from which they extend.

The fins 25 can have shapes and dimensions that are the same or different; for example, they can all have the same length along the axis A, or else have different lengths. Also the grooves 28 that separate one fin 25 from the next fin 25 can have various shapes and dimensions.

In the example of Figures 1-2, the fins 25 are staggered with respect to one another in a direction transverse to the axes A, or rather at least some fins 25 at least partially face other fins 25 parallel to them.

Preferably, the set comprises three, four, or more rows 27 of staggered fins 25; each row 27 has fins 25 staggered with respect to the fins 25 of the adjacent row or rows 27.

In the example illustrated in Figures 1, 2, the fins 25 extend directly from the lateral surface 10, and the grooves 28 have a depth (measured in a direction orthogonal to the lateral surface 10) such as to reach as far as the lateral surface 10; the root edges 32 of the fins 25 of each row 27 are directly fixed to the lateral surface 10 and are separated from one another by the grooves 28. Each groove 28 set between two consecutive fins 25 of a row 27 extends from the free-end edges 33 of said fins 25 as far as the lateral surface 10 and is laterally delimited by the facing edges 34, 34' of the two consecutive fins 25.

In the variant illustrated in Figure 3 (which represents for simplicity only two adjacent rows 27 of fins 25), the fins 25 of each row 27 are connected to one another by a continuous portion 35, which extends along the axis A and extends from the lateral surface 10; the fins 25 of each row 27 extend from the respective continuous portion 35, and the root edges 32 of the fins 25 are fixed to the continuous portion 35. Each groove 28 · set between two consecutive fins 25 of a row 27 is laterally delimited by the facing edges 34, 34' of the two consecutive fins 25 and extends from the free-end edges 33 of said fins as far as a front edge 36 of the continuous portion 35, which delimits the groove 28 at the bottom.

The edge 36 of the continuous portion 35 can be substantially rectilinear or curved, and/or be radiused to the sides 34 of the fins 25 via curved portions and/or rounded edges. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, wherein items that are similar or the same as the ones already described are designated by the same numbers, the set 26 again comprises adjacent rows 27 (at least two, and preferably three, four, or more) of fins 25 aligned along respective axes A substantially parallel and separated by respective series of grooves 28.

In this case, at least some fins 25 (in the example illustrated, but not necessarily, all the fins 25) entirely face respective adjacent fins 25; in other words, at least some adjacent fins 25 are substantially aligned with respect to one another in a direction transverse to the axes A, and hence have the bottom edges 34 and the top edges 34 ' substantially aligned in a direction transverse to the axes A. In the example of Figure 4, the set 26 comprises four rows 27 of fins 25, all substantially aligned to one another in a direction transverse to the axes A.

It remains in any case understood that some of the fins 25 of adjacent rows 27 may not be aligned. In general, the fins 25 of the adjacent rows 27 can have respective bottom edges 34, and/or top edges 34', substantially aligned or . not aligned in a direction transverse to the axes A.

It also remains understood that the fins 25 of the rows 27 can be arranged in a way again different from what is described and illustrated herein purely by way of example. In particular, combinations of the schemes described with reference to the embodiments presented previously are possible .

Optionally, but not necessarily, in order to improve further the efficiency of the element 1, the rear plate 7, and/or the front plate 6 can constitute further interrupted rows of fins; one or both of the plates 6, 7 is/are in this case shaped in the way described previously with reference to the fins 25 of the rows 27. In particular, the rear plate 7, and/or the front plate 6 have interrupted lateral edges 11, provided with respective series of cuts that succeed one another along the lateral edges 11.

Finally, it remains understood that further modifications and variations may be made to the radiator element described and illustrated herein, without thereby departing from the scope of the annexed claims.

Claims

1. A heating radiator element (1), comprising a base body (2) , which extends substantially along a main axis (X) between two opposite axial ends provided with respective transverse connection sleeves (5), and at least one set (26) of fins (25), which extend from a side (9) of the body (2), are arranged on one side of a centre plane (P) of the element (1), extend along respective axes (A) substantially parallel to the main axis (X), and are separated by grooves (28) ; the element being characterized in that:

the minimum number of fins (25) arranged on a side (9) is higher than H/33, where H is the distance between the sleeves (5) expressed in millimetres;

- if the number of said fins (25) arranged on a side (9) is less than H/15, then the total surface of said fins (25), expressed in square centimetres, is greater than a value, expressed in square centimetres, given by the number of fins multiplied by 20;

- if the number of said fins (25) arranged on a side (9) is higher than H/15, the total surface of said fins (25), expressed in square centimetres, is greater than a value, expressed in square centimetres, equal to the number of fins multiplied by 10.

2. The radiator element according to Claim 1, wherein at least some adjacent fins ( 25) are substantially aligned with respect to one another in a direction transverse to the axes (A) .

3. The radiator element according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein each fin (25) is delimited longitudinally by a bottom edge (34) and by a top edge (34') axially opposite to one another; and at least some adjacent fins (25) have bottom edges (34) substantially aligned in a direction transverse to the axes (A) .

4. The radiator element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some adjacent fins (25) are staggered with respect to one another in a direction transverse to the axes (A) .

5. The radiator element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some fins (25) at least partially face respective adjacent grooves (28).

6. The radiator element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fins (25) are substantially rectilinear and parallel to one another.

7. The radiator element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fins (25) extend from a lateral surface (10) of the body (2) and are substantially orthogonal to the lateral surface (10) from which they extend.

8. The radiator element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some fins (25) of a row (27) are connected to one another by a continuous portion (35), which extends from a lateral surface (10) of the body (2) and delimits the grooves (28) at the bottom.

9. The radiator element according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two, three, four, or more adjacent rows (27) of fins (25).

10. The radiator element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some fins (25) are aligned along respective axes (A) to form rows (27) of fins; and wherein each row (27) has at least four fins (25) separated by three grooves (28) ; and the total axial length of the fins (25) of each of said rows (27), measured along the axis (A) and given by the sum of the lengths of each individual fin (25) of the row (27) , is equal to at least 0.2 times the distance (H) between the sleeves (5) .

11. The radiator element according to Claim 10, wherein the two rows (27) of fins (25) separated by grooves (28) have a total axial length greater than or equal to 0.3, or else

0.4, or else 0.5 times the distance (H) between the sleeves (5) .