GB2080933A

GB2080933A - A radiator element

Info

Publication number: GB2080933A
Application number: GB8122421A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: EUROP RISCALDAMENTO FER
Current assignee: EUROP RISCALDAMENTO FER
Priority date: 1980-07-28
Filing date: 1981-07-21
Publication date: 1982-02-10
Also published as: FR2487496B3; FR2487496A3; GR75650B; DE8119844U1; YU184181A; GB2080933B; ES259680Y; BE889473A; IT8022398V0; ES259680U

Abstract

A hollow cast iron radiator element (1) to be heated internally by water has a longitudinal front fin (2) and on the opposed sides a series of short inclined fins (4) which define channels for deflecting and directing heated air streams upwards and away from the rear of the element to a further channel between the front fin and the ends of the fins (4). Various inclinations of the short fins are proposed including extending them parallel to the front fin, which is vertical in use. Furthermore, different shapes of the interior of the element for heat transfer surfaces to conduct heat to the front fin (2) and the series of fins (4) are described. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A radiator element This invention relates to a radiator element such as used as a heat exchanger in a central heating system in which water is conducted through the element via one or more internal passageways, and heat is transferred to the element and dissipated to the air by radiation and convection.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved radiator element having increased efficiency enabling a high rate of heat transfer to the environmental air.

According to this invention there is provided a radiator element having an internal passageway for heated water and a longitudinal front fin, characterised in that each of the two opposed side faces of the element comprise a series of fins spaced apart to define channels to direct convention air streams relative to the front fin.

The series of fins may be arranged in various ways and may extend at an inclination to the front fin or may be parallel thereto in the vertical sense.

The spaces between the fins define channels which direct the air heated by contact with the radiator surface. The direction of the channels may be selected to improve dispersal of the heated air.

As desired the length of the fins forming the series of fins may be varied to leave open air paths on the radiator surface for the air streams to be further directed relative to the front fin.

The front fin of the radiator element may be hollow and form part of the internal passageway(s) for the heated water, or it may be wholly or partly solid. Similarly, the series of fins may be hollow or solid.

Preferably, the radiator element is made of cast iron. The radiator element is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable for a wall mounted use with the front fin being supported outwardly and vertically.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention depicted in the accompanying drawings wherein:- FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a radiator element according to this invention; FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectionai view of the element taken on line Il-Il of Figure 1; and FIGURES 3,4 and 5 are enlarged crosssectional views of three different embodiments according to this invention taken in the direction X-X given in Figure 1.

With reference to the first embodiment depicted in Figures 1 and 2, the radiator element 1 comprises a cast iron body having threaded bosses to which suitable pipes would be connected for conducting heated water to the hollow interior of the body which provides an internal passageway 3.

The front of the radiator element 1 comprises a longitudinal fin 2 which has a medial portion A in direct contact with the heated water and the two opposed edges of the fin are solid.

On each of the two opposed sides of the radiator element 1 there are a series of short fins 4 which are spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other extending in a direction which is upward and forwardly inclined towards the front fin. The short fins 4 extend from the side walls 6 of the element which are in contact with the heated water in the hollow interior so that heat is transferred to the short fins 4.

The fins 4 stop short of the front fin 2 so as to leave a convective air path between the series of fins 4 and the front fin 2.

The short fins 4 define therebetween channels which direct the heated air streams towards the front fin 2 of the radiator element and these streams are deflected upwards to the path and are spaced from the rear of the radiator. This direction of the convection air streams reduces the dirtying or blackening of the wall upon which the radiator element is mounted, and the provision of the series of short fins increases efficiency.

With reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the front fin 2A is of a modified form with the interior shape of the element being of elliptical configuration to provide the internal passageway 3B. The medial heat transfer portion Al of the front fin 2A is formed by the extended transverse end portion of the element.

With reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 4, this is another modification to the shape of the radiator element and the interior passageway 3B in which the front fin 2B has a medial heat transfer portion A2 with the fin 2B being supported on a necked portion 10 extending from the main body of the radiator element to give additional external heat transfer surfaces 11 spaced between the main body and the front fin 2B.

With reference to the further embodiment shown in Figure 5, this shows an alternative form in which the front fin 2C does not have a heat transfer portion in direct contact with the heated water in the internal passageway 3C of the radiator element. Heat is conducted to the front fin 2C through thermal conductance of the radiator body.

Other modifications are envisaged without departing from the invention and these include providing the series of side fins that extend vertical, that is parallel to the front fin. The side fins may extend closely to the front fin instead of being spaced therefrom as shown in Figure 1 with a path between the ends of the side fins and the front fin. The side fins may be discontinuous to form other paths or channels which direct and deflect convective air streams either vertically or inclined. The side fins may be arranged on parts of the radiator element where there is no direct heat transfer surface in contact with the heated water.

Of course, the dimensions and proportions of the parts of the radiator element may be varied depending on requirements.

1. A radiator element having an internal

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A radiator element This invention relates to a radiator element such as used as a heat exchanger in a central heating system in which water is conducted through the element via one or more internal passageways, and heat is transferred to the element and dissipated to the air by radiation and convection. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved radiator element having increased efficiency enabling a high rate of heat transfer to the environmental air. According to this invention there is provided a radiator element having an internal passageway for heated water and a longitudinal front fin, characterised in that each of the two opposed side faces of the element comprise a series of fins spaced apart to define channels to direct convention air streams relative to the front fin. The series of fins may be arranged in various ways and may extend at an inclination to the front fin or may be parallel thereto in the vertical sense. The spaces between the fins define channels which direct the air heated by contact with the radiator surface. The direction of the channels may be selected to improve dispersal of the heated air. As desired the length of the fins forming the series of fins may be varied to leave open air paths on the radiator surface for the air streams to be further directed relative to the front fin. The front fin of the radiator element may be hollow and form part of the internal passageway(s) for the heated water, or it may be wholly or partly solid. Similarly, the series of fins may be hollow or solid. Preferably, the radiator element is made of cast iron. The radiator element is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable for a wall mounted use with the front fin being supported outwardly and vertically. The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention depicted in the accompanying drawings wherein:- FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a radiator element according to this invention; FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectionai view of the element taken on line Il-Il of Figure 1; and FIGURES 3,4 and 5 are enlarged crosssectional views of three different embodiments according to this invention taken in the direction X-X given in Figure 1. With reference to the first embodiment depicted in Figures 1 and 2, the radiator element 1 comprises a cast iron body having threaded bosses to which suitable pipes would be connected for conducting heated water to the hollow interior of the body which provides an internal passageway 3. The front of the radiator element 1 comprises a longitudinal fin 2 which has a medial portion A in direct contact with the heated water and the two opposed edges of the fin are solid. On each of the two opposed sides of the radiator element 1 there are a series of short fins 4 which are spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other extending in a direction which is upward and forwardly inclined towards the front fin. The short fins 4 extend from the side walls 6 of the element which are in contact with the heated water in the hollow interior so that heat is transferred to the short fins 4. The fins 4 stop short of the front fin 2 so as to leave a convective air path between the series of fins 4 and the front fin 2. The short fins 4 define therebetween channels which direct the heated air streams towards the front fin 2 of the radiator element and these streams are deflected upwards to the path and are spaced from the rear of the radiator. This direction of the convection air streams reduces the dirtying or blackening of the wall upon which the radiator element is mounted, and the provision of the series of short fins increases efficiency. With reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the front fin 2A is of a modified form with the interior shape of the element being of elliptical configuration to provide the internal passageway 3B. The medial heat transfer portion Al of the front fin 2A is formed by the extended transverse end portion of the element. With reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 4, this is another modification to the shape of the radiator element and the interior passageway 3B in which the front fin 2B has a medial heat transfer portion A2 with the fin 2B being supported on a necked portion 10 extending from the main body of the radiator element to give additional external heat transfer surfaces 11 spaced between the main body and the front fin 2B. With reference to the further embodiment shown in Figure 5, this shows an alternative form in which the front fin 2C does not have a heat transfer portion in direct contact with the heated water in the internal passageway 3C of the radiator element. Heat is conducted to the front fin 2C through thermal conductance of the radiator body. Other modifications are envisaged without departing from the invention and these include providing the series of side fins that extend vertical, that is parallel to the front fin. The side fins may extend closely to the front fin instead of being spaced therefrom as shown in Figure 1 with a path between the ends of the side fins and the front fin. The side fins may be discontinuous to form other paths or channels which direct and deflect convective air streams either vertically or inclined. The side fins may be arranged on parts of the radiator element where there is no direct heat transfer surface in contact with the heated water. Of course, the dimensions and proportions of the parts of the radiator element may be varied depending on requirements. CLAIMS

1. A radiator element having an internal passageway for heated water and a longitudinal front fin, characterised in that each of the two opposed side faces of the element comprises a series of fins spaced apart to define channels to direct convention air streams relative to the front fin.

2. A radiator element according to claim 1 further characterised in that the series of fins extend parallel to the front fin.

3. A radiator element according to claim 1 further characterised in that the series of fins extend inclined upwardly relative to the front fin.

4. A radiator element according to claim 2 or claim 3 further characterised in that the front fin has a medial heat transfer surface in contact with heated water within the radiator element.

5. A radiator element according to any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that the element is made of cast iron.

6. A radiator element according to any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that at least some of each series of fins have heat transfer surfaces in contact with heated water within the radiator element.

7. A radiator element according to claim 6 wherein the series of fins are inclined upwardly relative to the front fin further characterised in that the fins are arranged to provide a further convective channel adjacent the longitudinal front fin.

8. A radiator element according to any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that the series fins are discontinuqus and are arranged to provide other convective channels.

9. A radiator element substantially as t hereinbefore described with reference to anyone of the embodiments as depicted in Figures Iand 2; Figure 3; Figure 4 or Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.