GB2410545A

GB2410545A - Increasing heat transfer of central heating radiators

Info

Publication number: GB2410545A
Application number: GB0502911A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian Meynell Vale
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-02-11
Filing date: 2005-02-11
Publication date: 2005-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 2025-02-11
Also published as: CA2601921A1; GB0502911D0; GB2410545B; WO2006085084A1

Abstract

A means of increasing heat transfer of central heating radiators comprises a demountable heat exchange element mounted on and in thermal contact with a central heating radiator. The heat exchange element may comprise a heat conductive material and in combination with the radiator provides an enlarged heat exchange surface area and may be provided with convection pathways. The element may be fabricated from two or more flat panel elements spaced apart by spacers so as to provide heat convection pathways between the panel elements. A surface facing towards the radiator may be subject to a greater expansion force than a surface remote from the radiator so that a central part of the element is urged towards the radiator. The elements may be mounted on radiators using clips or brackets and may have height adjustable legs and a carrying handle. The elements may be used with water filled or oil filled radiators of the pre-installed permanent type or the portable electrically heated type.

Description

1 2410545 Radiator Enhancer This invention relates to central heating

radiators and provides means to enhance the heat output thereof.

In most environments, whether domestic or industrial, central heating radiators are controlled by a thermostat disposed at a suitable location in the building and operatively connected to a pump which circulates heat exchange fluid, usually water, throughout the system including all radiators with their valves in the open condition. Optionally, individual radiators may be equipped with thermostatically-controlled valves, the effect of which is to isolate the radiator from receiving further heated water when the sensor in the thermostatic valve determines that the local ambient temperature has attained a predetermined threshold value, and to cause the valve to reopen to admit further heated water once the local ambient temperature falls below the threshold value. If further heat is required from a particular radiator, it is possible to adjust the thermostat valve so that it closes at a higher ambient temperature but, once the valve is set to its maximum position, no further heating may be obtained from the radiator in question except by raising the set temperature of the main controlling thermostat, which results in undesirably high temperatures in space zones of the building where such higher temperatures are not, in fact, required. Where a main controlling thermostat is not fitted, more heat may be obtained by adjustment of the setting of the boiler controller.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means for temporarily increasing or enhancing the heat output of a given radiator without altering thermostat or boiler settings.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a demountable heat-exchange element for locating in thermal contact with a central heating radiator to enhance the heat output thereof.

The demountable element according to the invention is preferably formed from a heat-conductive material and may be shaped so as to provide, in combination with the surface of the radiator itself, an enlarged heatexchange surface area and, preferably, convection pathways to encourage air, heated by contact with the radiator or the element in thermal contact therewith, to improve the effectiveness in the heating of the ambient air in the locality of the radiator when the element is mounted thereon.

Preferably, elements according to the invention arc flexible and have heat-transmitting properties such that the surface thereof facing towards the radiator in use will be subject to greater expansion forces than will the surface remote from the radiator, whereby (with the ends of the element being maintained in contact with the radiator) the central part of the element will be urged towards and maintained in improved heattransmitting relationship with the radiator surface.

Optionally, Remountable elements according to the present invention may be fabricated from two or more flat panel elements maintained in spacedapart confronting relationship by spacer members which themselves are preferably heat-conducting and are disposed so as to provide, in conjunction with the elements themselves, heat-convection pathways. Such spacer elements, or any surface area-enhancing elements applied to the remote side of the or the outermost panel element, may be of any convenient shape, or disposed at any angle to the panel element, consistent with functional considerations in terms of enhancement of surface area, provision of heat-convecting pathways between panel elements, and the like, as well as aesthetic considerations relating to the appearance of the radiator including the demountable heat-exchange element.

Elements according to the invention may be formed from any suitable heatconductive material to dimensions substantially to coincide with the entire surface of one side of the radiator, or a part thereof. Where the radiator is of conventional design with upper and lower longitudinal chambers defining the ends of vertical channels, the elements may be dimensioned so as to extend over the central part of the radiator incorporating the channel members, the upper and lower edges of the element being disposed adjacent the walls of the upper and lower chambers respectively, suitable provision being made for exit pathways for heated air between the channel surfaces and the panel element.

Elements according to the invention may be demountably attached to a radiator by means of suitable clips, brackets or other means, provided that parts of the element arc maintained in contact with the radiator itself and, preferably, so that the ends of the elements are themselves sufficiently rigid, or are sufficiently strongly attached to the radiator, that any tendency to thermal expansion at the radiator-facing surface results in more intimate contact between the central zone of the element and the radiator, rather than in the ends of the element becoming spaced from the radiator. Optionally, the elements include legs or feet, which may be height-adjustable, and a carrying handle.

In other aspects, the invention provides a method for increasing the heat output from a central heating radiator, the method comprising locating in thermal contact with the radiator a demountable heat-exchange element (as hereinbefore described), and a central heating radiator having applied thereto in heat-conductive relationship a demountable heat-exchange element (as hereinbefore described).

The invention may be used in conjunction with either water-filled or oilfilled radiators, whether of the pre-installed permanent type or the portable, electrically-heated type. In order to save energy, the element according to the invention may easily be removed from the radiator. It is envisaged that the invention will be particularly useful in bathrooms, shower rooms or dressing rooms, where extra warmth is desirable especially during cold mornings.

Claims

Claims 1. A Remountable heat-exchange element for locating in thermal

contact with a central heating radiator to enhance the heat output thereof.
2. An element according to claim 1, in which the element is formed from a heat-conductive material and provides, in combination with the surface of the radiator itself in use, an enlarged heat-exchange surface area.
3. An element according to claim 2, in which the element provides convection pathways.
4. An element according to any preceding claim, the element being flexible and having heat-transmitting properties such that the surface thereof facing towards the radiator in use is subject to greater expansion forces than will the surface remote from the radiator, whereby the central part of the element is urged towards and maintained in improved heat-transmitting relationship with the radiator surface.
5. An element according to any preceding claim, the element being fabricated from two or more flat panel elements maintained in spacedapart confronting relationship by spacer members disposed so as to provide, in conjunction with the elements themselves, heat-convection pathways.
6. An element according to any preceding claim demountably attached to a radiator by attachment means, parts of the element being maintained in heat-transmitting contact with the radiator.
7. An element attached to a radiator according to claim 6, the ends of the element being sufficiently rigid, or being sufficiently strongly attached to the radiator, that any tendency to thermal expansion at the radiator-facing surface results in more intimate heat-transmitting contact between the central zone of the element and the radiator.
8. An element according to any preceding claim, including optionally height adjustable legs or feet.
9. A method for increasing the heat output from a central heating radiator, the method comprising locating in thermal contact with the radiator a demountable heat-exchange element as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 or 8.
10. A central heating radiator having applied thereto in heat-conductive relationship a demountable heat-exchange element as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 or 8.