GB2458099A

GB2458099A - Ring shaped modular heating appliance

Info

Publication number: GB2458099A
Application number: GB0803789A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Saffet Kalender
Original assignee: PITACS Ltd
Current assignee: PITACS Ltd
Priority date: 2008-02-29
Filing date: 2008-02-29
Publication date: 2009-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2028-02-29
Also published as: GB0803789D0; GB2458099B

Abstract

A ring shaped modular heating appliance comprises two or more ring shaped modules 1A, 1B and 1C arranged alongside and connected to each other to allow a heating liquid to flow between the modules 1A, 1B and 1C. Each module 1A, 1B and 1C may be a polygon comprising of six stainless steel rectangular tubes welded together to form a hexagon. Module 1A has an inlet 2 and an outlet 3 and module 1C has a vent valve 'V'. Modules 1A, 1B and 1C may be nested so that each module 1A, 1B and 1C has two sides that lie parallel to respective sides of two adjoining modules. Modules 1A, 1B and 1C may be connected together by tubes 4 and spacers 5 concealed by decorative strips (6, fig 2). Brackets 7 may be welded to the rear permitting wall mounting. Closure members (8, fig 4) may be provided inside the tubes between adjoining modules ensuring the liquid circulates around all of the modules 1A, 1B and 1C. Closure members (8) may comprise of an o-ring (10) in a groove on a periphery of a sealing member (9). A threaded shaft (11) may be turned and deformable fingers (12A) of pressure plates (12) forced towards each other press the o-ring (10) against the tubes wall providing a watertight seal. Modules can be used as a towel holder, may be provided with a shelf ('S') and swivel mirror ('M') or as a compartment for storage.

Description

A HEATING APPLIANCE

This invention rclates to a heating appliance comprising a path for hot fluid, usually water, defined by at least one tubular heat exchange member.

The invention was conceived for use in so-called "radiators" in water circulation central heating systems. Although this term "radiator" will be used in this specification it will be understood that the majority of heat from such "radiators" is dissipated by convection rather than radiation.

The majority of central heating radiators and heated towel rails employ a series of parallel channels for the flow of hot water, these channels being formed either by separate pipes or, in the ease of a flat panel radiator, by spaces defined between metal sheets. These conventional principles of construction are not well adapted to the construction of a radiator of pleasing appearance. Furthermore, the need for any radiator to have a large surface area necessarily results in the radiator occupying space that cannot be used for other purposes.

According to the invention there is provided a heating appliance comprising a path for hot fluid defined by two or more tubular ring-shaped modules arranged alongside each other and connected to allow the flow of heating liquid between them.

By employing the invention it becomes possible for the designer to assemble the modules in a large variety of different ways to create a radiator that is both efficient heat exchanger and which is attractive in appearance and/or useful for an ancillary purpose. For example, multiple ring-shaped modules could be assembled in a two or three dimensional configuration to create a sculpture-like decoration, or an article of furniture. The spaces surrounded by each ring-shaped module can be used for a multitude of different purposes, for example as a towel holder, the frame of a mirror or as a compartment for the storage of useful or decorative items. If the modules are shaped in the form of polygons, they can be nested together so that one and preferably two sides of each polygon lie parallel to and adjacent the sides of other polygons. This makes for a particularly neat configuration and permits easy connection of the polygons for the flow of heating fluid.

It is advantageous for the polygons to be made of rectangular section tubing because this gives good heat exchange properties. If the wider sides of the rcctangular tubes are arranged to be parallel to the axes of symmetry of the polygons, the modules can be given improved capacity to receive accessory items as previously mentioned. It is preferred that one of the sides of each polygon be horizontal so that it can provide the function of a shelf.

At least one closure member is preferably located within each module to ensure that the hot fluid flows in the desired direction around it. It has been found that a small leakage will considerably reduce heat exchange efficiency and a good seal is therefore important. It has been found that a good seal can be produced using an element that can, during manufacture be made to slide into the relevant tube and which, when in place, can be made to expand to form a watertight seal with the interior surface of the tube.

One way in which the invention may be performed will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -Fig 1 is a perspective view illustrating the rear side of a central heating radiator formed from three modules; Fig 2 is similar to Fig I but shows the front of the same radiator; Fig 3 is a front perspective view of another radiator employing nine modules; and; Fig 4 illustrates a cross-section through a closure member located in each of the modules of Figs 1, 2 and 3.

Referring first to Figs 1 and 2, the illustrated radiator/towel rail comprises three modules 1A, lB and 1C, each of which is formed from six stainless steel tubes welded together to form a hexagon. The tubes are of rectangular cross section arranged so that the wider sides lie parallel to the axes of symmetry (one of which is shown at X -X) of the modules.

The module 1 A has an inlet 2 and an outlet 3 and the module IC has a vent valve V. The modules are nested together so that the side 1A' of module 1A lies adjacent and parallel to side 1B' of module 1B; the side 1B" of module lB lies adjacent and parallel to side IC' of module 1C and the side 1C" of module IC lies adjacent and parallel to side 1A" of module 1A. The modules are connected together by tubes 4 and spacers 5 concealed by decorative strips 6, the latter being best seen on Fig 2.

Brackets 7 are welded to the rear side to allow mounting on a wall.

Blocking membcrs, to be described in detail later but not visible in Figs I and 2, arc installed mid-way along the tubes 1A', 1B', 1B"and 1C'. These closure members 8 cause the flow of hot water to follow a route as indicated by the arrows so as to circulate around all of the modules.

Fig 3 shows a variation which is constructed essentially in the same way as that of Figs 1 and 2 but with an additional six modules 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H and 1J. As for Figs I and 2, the modules of Fig 3 are fitted with blocking members, constraining the water to flow along the route as shown by the arrows.

The modules employed in the present invention create a structure that is well adapted to support accessories and other objects. For example, the module 1D of Fig 3 has been modified by the addition of swivel mountings for a mirror M; whilst the module IH is shown supporting a shelf S designed to hook over the bottom tube. Any of the other modules can conveniently be used as towel holders.

Initial attempts to construct blocking members involved inserting a metal insert into the tube, drilling a hole through the side of the tube to expose the insert, and welding the insert to the tube wall through the hole. However, this proved unsatisfactory because the heat of the welding process distorted the tube wall, creating a gap between the wall and the insert. This gap remained after the metal had cooled, resulting in leakage of water past the insert and a significant reduction in heat output.

The problem was solved using inserts working on the principles illustrated schematically in Fig 4.

Referring to Fig 4, the blocking member 8 comprises a rectangular seal 9 having a central bore 9A and an outer rim formed with a groove. The groove receives an 0-ring 10 that engages, in the illustrated example, the inner walls of the tube 1A'.

Passing through the bore 9A and making a watertight seal therewith, is a shaft 11 formed with opposite handed threads 1 1A and 1 lB and end slots 1 1C and 1 1D.

Threaded onto the threads I 1A and 1 lB are pressure plates 12 each having four deformable fingers 12A (only two visible for each plate on the drawing) extending towards the respective four walls of the tube 1A'. The free ends of these fingers engage in recesses close to the perimeter of the seal member 9. During assembly of the radiator/towel rail, the blocking member is inserted into the relevant tube and a screwdriver is used to engage one of the slots 11 C or 11 D and to turn the shaft 11.

This caused the pressure plates 1 2A to be forced towards each other so that the fmgers 12A press the perimeter of the sealing member 9 outwardly. The sealing member is manufactured of a material such as steel or synthetic plastics capable of some stretching so that this action presses the 0-ring firmly against the tube wall to provide a watertight seal.

It is emphasised that the illustrated embodiments are just examples of many variations that are possible within the scope of the invention as defined by the following Claims. Or example, the modules could be of a different shape, such as square, triangular or circular and may be connected together to form a three-dimensional array, instead of the two dimensional arrays illustrated.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A heating appliance comprising a path for hot fluid defined by two or more tubular ring-shaped modules arranged alongside each other and connected to allow the flow of heating liquid between them.
2. A heating appliance according to Claim 1 characterised in that the ring-shaped modules are polygons.
3. A heating appliance according to Claim 2 characterised in that the polygons are formed from tubular members arranged end to end and welded together.
4. A heating appliance according to Claim 3 characterised in that the tubular members are of rectangular cross-section.
5. A heating appliance according to Claim 4 characterised in that each polygon has a horizontal side that defines a shelf.
6. A heating appliance according to 2 or 3 characterised in that the polygons are hexagons.
7. A heating appliance according to any preceding Claim charactensed by three or more modules that are nested together so that each module has two sides that lie parallel to respective sides of two adjoining modules.
8. A heating appliance according to any preceding Claim characterised by a closure member in each module between points where it is connected to an adjoining module.
9. A heating appliance according to Claim 7 characteriscd in that the closure member is a plug having an expansion mechanism allowing it to be inserted into a tube during assembly of the appliance and then expanded to form a watertight seal against internal walls of the tube 10. A heating appliance according to any preceding Claim and designed for connection in a water circulation central heating system.11. A heating appliance according to any preceding Claim comprising a mirror mounted within the perimeter of a ring-shaped module.Amendments to the Claims have been filed as followsCLAIMSI. A heating appliance comprising a path for heating fluid defined by two or more tubular ring-shaped modules arranged alongside each other and connected to allow the flow of heating fluid between them characterised by a closure member in each module between points where it is connected to an adjoining module.2. A heating appliance according to Claim 1 characterised in that the ring-shaped modules are polygons.3. A heating appliance according to Claim 2 characterised in that the polygons are fonned from tubular members arranged end to end and welded together.4. A heating appliance according to Claim 3 characterised in that the tubular members are of rectangular cross-section.5. A heating appliance according to Claim 4 characterised in that each polygon has a horizontal side that defines a shelf.6. A heating appliance according to Claims 2 or 3 characterised in that the polygons are hexagons.7. A heating appliance according to any preceding Claim characterised by three or more modules that are nested together so that each module has two sides that lie parallel to respective sides of two adjoining modules.8. A heating appliance according to Claim 7 characterised in that the closure member is a plug having an expansion tnechanism allowing it to be inserted into a tube during assembly of the appliance and then expanded to form a watertight seal against internal walls of the tube 9. A heating appliance according to any preceding Claim and designed for connection in a water circulation central heating system.
10. A heating appliance according to any preceding Claim comprising a mirror mounted within the perimeter of a ring-shaped module.