FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a heat exchanger with plates, or radiator, advantageously but not only a radiator having at least two plates. In particular the invention concerns a radiator with plates and the heat distribution system applied to it.

The present invention also concerns an element to choke the flow, suitable to obtain the heat distribution system, which can be located in one or more of the pipes through which the heat-carrying fluid passes and causing a controlled choking of the flow in transit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heat exchangers are known, of the type with two or more plates, parallel or not, into which a heat-carrying fluid is introduced, such as hot water. In each of the heating plates, normally, a plurality of interconnected channels define the passage and distribution of the fluid.

It is also known to provide connection means, such as connectors, normally T- shaped, which are disposed between two plates and connect respectively the suitable apertures of each plate to distribute and/or receive the fluid.

Heat exchangers are also known in which the heat-carrying fluid is made to circulate first, or in greater quantity, in a first plate and then in the second plate.

One of the main problems in designing heat exchangers or radiators of this type is connected to the heat yield of the devices, which is normally measured in Watts per kilogram of material that the plates are made of.

Optimizing the yield is also connected to the fact that the transmission of heat by the radiator to the room to be conditioned is obtained through the sum of the irradiance effect and the convection effect between plates and outside atmosphere.

It is also known that the optimum yield, in the design stage, of radiators with plates is obtained by achieving a system in which the temperature of the fluid flowing in the external plate - by external plate meaning the one not facing toward the room to be heated - is substantially equal to that of the internal plate, that is, the one facing the room to be heated. This condition is optimum, in terms of yield, when the radiator is put in particular positions, or in rooms that are particular in their characteristics or use. When the radiator is positioned in a specific room, both in conformation and as function, or when it is integrated into a system comprising various connected elements, the condition of substantially equal temperature between internal plate and external plate may no longer be the temperature that guarantees an optimum yield.

For example, if the external wall of the radiator is put adjacent to a peripheral wall, in particular one that is poorly insulated thermally, a high temperature of the external plate of the radiator entails a high heat exchange with the cold outside, so that the yield of the radiator overall is drastically reduced.

Furthermore, there may also be cases where the internal wall of the radiator must be kept at a lower temperature than that of the external plate, for example in nursery schools or other situations where the risk of contact with too hot an element must be avoided.

Then there are also situations, for example in hospitals, where the radiator functions almost continuously and may require high temperatures for long periods of time. Other situations are connected with private homes where it is necessary to manage timed heating conditions that may be extremely varied. These are only some examples of the variability of the cases and the different functioning requirements.

It must also be considered that designing a heating system depends on a plurality of variables that can also change over time, and requires deep specific knowledge and initial data coherent with the purposes to be obtained.

In this context connectors are also known that are associated to the two plates and that allow to define an obligatory path for the fluid, so as to satisfy the conditions of desired transit.

Connectors are also known, also T-shaped, in which privileged paths are made for the transit of the fluid through only some of the segments of the connector. However, known heat distribution systems inside an exchanger have problems both of cost, of accurate adjustment and the desired flow control.

So, for example, flow adjustors, either adjustable or automatic, associated at the entrance of the exchanger, control the flow toward both the plates but do not guarantee an accurate control with the specific requirements of this or that plate, or this or that room, or again this or that requirement.

A further disadvantage of known inserts is that they are difficult or costly to instal inside the connectors; it is also difficult to determine the degree of choking that they have to exert.

Another disadvantage of fixed known inserts is that they do not allow any intervention after installation to modify the choking conditions in the event of a modification of the general conditions, or modification of function, or re-use, or any other external factor that can influence the behavior thereof.

It is therefore a purpose of the present invention to provide a heat exchanger with plates equipped with means that allow an effective and predefined or predefinable management of the flow of heat-carrying fluid inside it, with the purpose of maximizing the heat yield in relation to the specific circumstances of use and application.

It is another purpose of the present invention to privilege, according to requirements, one part or the other part of the heat exchanger, also in relation to all the possible differences in use indicated above that may occur, also after the first installation.

It is also a purpose of the present invention to provide a system that allows an accurate and personalized control of the distribution of the heat in an exchanger.

It is also a purpose of the present invention to provide a system that is simple, versatile and economical.

It is also a purpose of the present invention to obtain an element to choke the flow of fluid that is simple, economical to obtain, with easy application of the connectors, and which allows a defined or desired control of the flow, also modifiable over time.

Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain an element to choke the flow of fluid that can be personalized according to specific requirements, possibly already during the manufacturing step of the specific exchanger.

Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain an element to choke the flow of fluid that can be applied to any connector configuration.

Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain a connector for a heat exchanger comprising an element to choke the flow of fluid in transit having limited bulk, easy to apply and with an accurate adjustment.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, a heat exchanger according to the present invention is the type having at least two heating plates. In particular, the exchanger comprises at least a first plate and a second plate, normally quadrilateral, normally square or rectangular, with a flat or curved development, which are disposed substantially parallel and contiguous with respect to each other.

The first plate is the one which in use constitutes the internal plate of the exchanger, that is, the one directly facing the room to be heated/conditioned, while the second plate is the one which in use constitutes the external plate.

Both the first plate and the second plate are provided with one or more apertures, which are suitably connected to each other and to the thermo-hydraulic circuit, by means of connectors, normally T-shaped, so that at least most of the hot fluid is made to transit, in a desired and controlled manner, first through one plate and then through the other.

According to one feature of the present invention, the first plate comprises a first entry aperture for the fluid and a third exit aperture for the fluid, advantageously but not necessarily located in the lower part, and also two apertures, second and fourth, located advantageously but not necessarily in the upper part of the respective plates.

The second plate instead is provided with corresponding apertures located in positions mating with the apertures of the first plate. The apertures are present in the first plate and the second plate in specular manner, and are connected hydraulically with each other: at least a general entry and a general exit for the fluid are provided in the hydraulic connections.

Means may be provided to bleed the air. According to a variant of the invention, the hydraulic connection between the first plate and the second plate is obtained with pipes which, according to another variant, are T-shaped.

According to one formulation of the invention, in relation to the first aperture connected to the second plate, the pipe is closed in the direction that the fluid entering can only enter and transfer itself into the first plate.

In one form of embodiment of the invention, in the pipes that connect the apertures of the first plate and the second plate, there is a choking element which is configured so as to allow that a defined and definable portion of the fluid passing in the first plate can flow into the second plate.

The choking element, according to variants of the invention, has a standard minimum transit section which, with respect to the free passage area or gap of the pipe in which the choking element is applied, has a value comprised between 8% and 25%, advantageously between about 10% and 18%.

Some forms of embodiment of the choking element according to the invention are characterized by one or more of the following features.

One feature provides that the minimum transit condition is definable according to the design specifications of use of the radiator, so that the radiator can be made in the factory already personalized for use and for function, as the transits allowed by the choking elements are those that allow the maximum design yield of the radiator in its entirety.

Another feature is that the transit condition, understood as free transit section of the flow through each choking element, is modifiable, as an increased value, that is, more than the specification condition, even when the radiator is installed, for example as the conditions of use vary.

A variant provides that the specification transit condition of one or more of the choking elements, provided in the factory when the radiator is manufactured, can be modified also to a lower value.

According to another variant, the closing element of the first aperture does not completely close it, but only partly closes the transit of the flow of fluid between the two plates.

According to one formulation of the invention, the choking or possible closing element is conformed as an insertion element obtained from metal sheet or plastic material insertable into one or the other segment of the connection pipes, which as we said can be T-shaped, by means of a simple axial pressure, and positioned there through axial dilation.

According to a variant, the choking elements have transit sections the value of which is the minimum factory value.

According to a variant, the transit section is definable in the design step so as to balance, in terms of temperature and quantity of flow in circulation, the first plate with respect to the second plate.

As well as the transit sections with a minimum value, or definable in the design step, the choking elements have pre-set lines of bending, for example from one to six.

The pre-set lines of bending are provided to vary the transit section at any moment.

According to the invention,in the case of T-shaped connection means, the variation in the transit section, using the lines of bending, can be carried out when the heat exchanger is assembled, and possibly installed, by acting directly through a transit segment of the T-shaped connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some forms of embodiment, given as a non- restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the heat distribution system according to the present invention;

- fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the connection elements of the two plates of a heat exchanger;

- fig. 3 is a plan view of an insertion element according to the present invention;

- fig. 4 is a plan view of a first variant of fig. 3;

- fig. 5a is a plan view of a second variant of fig. 3;

- fig. 5b is a lateral view of fig. 5a;

- fig. 6 shows a variant of fig. 5a;

- fig. 7a shows a choking element with an annular transit section, while figs. 7b and 7c show the same element in two levels of choking obtained in the factory;

- fig. 8 is a section view of the insertion element in fig. 5b, associated with a connector for a heat exchanger.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one form of embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other forms of embodiment without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME FORMS OF EMBODIMENT

With reference to fig. 1, a heat distribution system according to the present invention is indicated by the reference number 10, and is applied advantageously to a heat exchanger 11 of the type with plates. By type with plates we mean a heat exchanger with two or more plates, substantially parallel to each other, and also a heat exchanger with two sections having a common part.

The heat exchanger 11 in this case comprises two plates, respectively a first plate 12 and a second plate 13 disposed in this specific case parallel and contiguous to the first plate 12.

The plates 12 and 13 can be flat, curved, angled etc., and can have any development whatsoever. Hereafter, for simplicity, we shall describe the case of a heat exchanger with flat plates, facing each other, rectangular in shape.

Both the first 12 and the second plate 13, which normally but not necessarily are made of sheet metal, are internally provided with or define in a known manner interconnected channels inside which a hot heat-carrying fluid, for example water, is made to circulate.

The first plate 12 and the second plate 13 are each provided with a first surface 14 which in use faces toward the outside, and with a second surface 15 which in use faces toward the inside, so that the two second surfaces 15 of the plates face each other.

In the second surface 15 of the first plate 12 and the second plate 13, facing each other, through apertures are made for the circulation of the fluid in a mating position.

In some forms of embodiment, the first plate 12 and the second plate 13 are hydraulically connected with each other through at least three of said apertures, indicated for example by the reference numbers 17, 18, 21, 22 in the attached drawings, by means of connection pipes or connectors 26, 27, 28, 29 for the transit of a flow of heat-carrying fluid from one plate to the other, as explained in detail hereafter.

In the example shown in fig. 1, the apertures are made in positions substantially coordinated with those of the tops of the first plate 12 and the second plate 13, that is, in correspondence respectively with a first 16a and 1 16a, a second 16b and 1 16b, a third 16c and 1 16c and a fourth top 16d and 116d.

In the example shown in fig. 1, the first top 16a and 1 16a, in this case located at the upper part, is diagonally opposite the third top 16c and 1 16c, which in this case is located at the lower part. It should be pointed out here that the solution illustrated hereafter is given purely as an example, since the heat-carrying fluid can enter into the first plate near a top located at the lower part.

The third 16c, 116c and the fourth top 16d, 116d have one side in common which, during use, is disposed substantially horizontal.

The apertures of the first plate 12 are disposed in positions mating with the apertures made on the second plate 13.

More specifically, the first plate 12 comprises a first aperture 17 made in correspondence near the first top 16a, and a third exit aperture 18 made in correspondence near the third top 16c.

In the case shown here, the first plate 12 is provided with two auxiliary apertures, respectively a second aperture 19 and a fourth aperture 20, which are connected in this case by T-shaped connectors to the second plate 13.

The second 19 and fourth aperture 20 are made in opposite positions angularly with respect to each other and respectively in correspondence with the second 16b and fourth top 16d.

In the second surface 15 of the second plate 13 a third aperture 21, a fourth aperture 22 and two auxiliary apertures, respectively a first 23 and a second aperture 24 are respectively made.

In the case shown here by way of example, the heat exchanger 11 in particular comprises a first connector 26 through which the fluid is introduced into the heat exchanger 1 1, a second connector 27 and a third connector 28 which connect the first plate 12 and the second plate 13, and a fourth connector 29 through which the fluid is discharged.

The third connector 28, or other connector equipped for the purpose, can be dedicated, or also dedicated, to the function of venting the air from the heat exchanger 11.

The first connector 26 (fig. 2) is provided with a first entry segment 30, suitable to allow the connection of a pipe 31 for the introduction of the hot fluid. The first connector 26 then has a first delivery segment 32a and second delivery segment 32b which connect respectively to the first entry aperture 17 and the third auxiliary aperture 23, and another segment 33 to which adjustment means are associated, such as for example a thermostatic valve 34.

According to some features of the present invention, inside one or more of said connection pipes or connectors 26, 27, 28, 29 there is a choking or insertion element 40, positioned stably. The choking or insertion element has at least a transit section 41-44 of the heat-carrying fluid defined by at least a deformable fin.

In particular, for example in the internal wall of the first delivery segment 32a, a choking or insertion element 40 is inserted, shown schematically in figs. 1 and 2 by dotted lines.

The choking or insertion element 40 defines a partial obstruction of the segment of the connector into which it is inserted.

Only if the choking element 40 cooperates with the exit can it also be totally closed.

The partial obstruction can be provided fixed at exit from the factory, that is, in relation to the design data, already when the exchanger is constructed.

The choking element 40 can have, as indicated above, transit sections 41-44 of the heat-carrying fluid, predefined when the specific heat exchanger 1 1 is manufactured; for example in a base conformation they may be formed by slits 41 and/or holes 44, as explained hereafter in the description in connection with examples supplied according to some forms of embodiment of the present invention.

In the examples shown in figs. 3-6, some forms of embodiment of the choking element 40 are shown, which can optionally be provided with one or more slits 41, which function as transit sections, in this case L-shaped, which for example can define one or more fins 42.

The slits 41 constitute transit paths for the heat-carrying fluid and, in a first solution, their sizes can be fixed, in which case they determine a minimum passage of fluid.

In fact, the overall area of the slits 41 with respect to the free passage area or gap of the pipe in which the choking elements 40 are inserted can go from 8% to 25%, advantageously from 10% to 18%.

The area of the slits 41 can however be varied according to design specifications, adapting it to the requirements of use of the exchanger, so that the exchanger leaves the factory already personalized and optimized.

Each of the fins 42 can be selectively bent in correspondence with its edge that connects to the body of the insertion element 40 to define an aperture 43 (fig. 8) which determines a desired choking.

The fins 42 can be bent both toward the concave surface of the choking or insertion element 40 and also toward its convex surface (as shown in dotted lines in fig. 8).

In the first case, the choking or insertion element 40 is inserted inside the delivery segment 32b to be disposed in correspondence with the entry segment 30 of the connector 26. This disposition allows the operator to inspect inside the delivery segment 32b through the entry segment 30, and to bend the fins 42 toward the inner part of the choking or insertion element 40, for example by using a screwdriver, to define the aperture 43.

In the second case, that is, when the fins 42 are bent toward the convex surface of the insertion element 40 , it is advantageous to provide that the fins 42 are bent before the insertion element 40 is inserted into the connector 26, and hence when the connector 26 is made solid with the respective plate 12, 13.

The slits 41 can be such as to create they themselves a desired choking or, alternatively, they can be made not through, so as to define only a line of preferential weakening.

In association with the slits 41, or in substitution thereof, other holes 44, through and calibrated (figs. 4 and 6), may optionally be present which, since they can function as transit sections as described above, complete the desired choking. In particular, the calibrated through holes 44 are auxiliary and provided to reduce the free passage area or gap of the pipe where the choking element 40 is located. In some variant forms of embodiment, other through fissures 45 may be provided (fig. 4), made around, or developing from, the calibrated through holes 44, to allow to modify the choking of the pipe where the choking element 40 is located.

On the contrary, if only the calibrated through hole 44 is provided, without through fissures 45, the reduction in the area of free transit of the pipe is not modifiable and therefore the choking capacity of the choking element 40 due to the calibrated through hole 44 cannot be varied.

Fig. 7a shows an insertion or choking element 40 with a circular slit 41, except for a bridge 50 that defines a flexible fin 42. Figs. 7b and 7c show two variants of fig. 7a, in which the slit 41 is widened on each occasion by displacing the fin 42 with respect to the base plane of the insertion or choking element 40.

In figs. 7b and 7c it can also be seen how, with the heat exchanger 1 1 installed, it is possible to increase (thrusting the fin 42 toward the outside - position 42a) or reduce if there is a hole 44 (pulling the fin 42 toward the outside - position 42b).

The choking or insertion element 40, which can be made of metal sheet or plastic, comprises a circular body made of at least partly elastically yielding material and having plan sizes a little bigger than the section sizes of the segment of the connector into which it is inserted. When it is installed, the choking or insertion element 40 is inserted into the segment of connector to be choked by means of axial pressure, so as to deform it elastically and so that it adapts to the section sizes of the segment into which it is inserted.

The elastic deformation to which the choking or insertion element 40 is subjected allows to constrain the latter stably to the internal walls of the connector segments, preventing any axial sliding thereof.

According to a first form of embodiment, the choking or insertion element 40 (figs. 5a, 5b and 6) has a concave conformation so as to define, with its external surface, a lead-in to its insertion into the segment of the connector.

The choking or insertion element 40 has a circumferential edge 46 that anchors to the internal wall of the connector segment.

In the example in fig. 6, peripheral holes 49 are provided, which perform the function of letting the air pass, promoting its discharge.

According to a variant embodiment (figs. 3 and 4), the choking or insertion element 40 is substantially flat and obtained for example by shearing a metal sheet, and is provided with a plurality of radial extensions 47 that depart from the central body and which, during use, are constrained to the internal surface of the connector segment in which they are inserted.

Providing the radial extensions 47, which can be replaced by the peripheral holes 49, gives the advantage that it is possible to vent the air at the highest level.

It is advantageous to provide that each of the radial extensions 47 is provided with shaped ends 48 suitable to increase the anchoring effect of the insertion element 40 to the walls of the connector segment.

The shaped ends 48 are made concave or convex with respect to the circumferential perimeter of the choking or insertion element 40, and depending on the type of material that makes up the connector and possibly on the working pressure.

The second connector 27 fluidically connects the first plate 12 with the second plate 13 in correspondence respectively with the third exit aperture 18 and the third entry aperture 21.

The third connector 28 connects the second aperture 19 of the first plate 12 with the second aperture 24 of the second plate 13.

The fourth connector 29 connects the fourth aperture 20 of the first plate 12 with the fourth aperture 22 of the second plate 13.

In this case, the third connector 28 performs, or also performs, the function of discharging the air, while the second connector 27 performs, or also performs, an emptying function.

The second 27, the third 28 and the fourth connector 29 (fig. 2) are conformed substantially as a T-shape and each comprise a first segment 35a and a second segment 35b disposed substantially aligned axially with respect to each other, and a third segment 36 orthogonal to the first 35a and second segment 35b.

The insertion elements 40, conformed and having the characteristics described with reference to figs. 3-6, are inserted into the first segment 35a of the third 28 and fourth connector 29, in their internal surface.

The disposition of the insertion elements 40 in the first 26, third 28 and fourth connector 29 allows to define a preferential path of the fluid inside the exchanger 1 1. In particular, the hot fluid enters through the first connector 26 and provides to heat the first plate 12. If the insertion element 40 of the first connector 26 performs a choking action, the desired part of the fluid entering is sent directly to the second plate 13 as well.

The fluid exits from the second connector 27 and is sent to the second plate 13.

If the insertion element 40 of the third connector 28 performs a choking action, the desired part of the fluid from the first plate 12 is sent through the second plate 13, circulating through the third connector 28.

The fluid therefore provides to heat the second plate 13 as well, and exits through the fourth aperture 22.

Also in correspondence with the fourth connector 29 a choking action may be provided, or an obstruction of the fluid from the first plate 12 to the discharge. It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the heat exchanger with plates as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of heat exchanger with plates, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.