"Radiator element provided with a hooked closing cap and radiator thereof" .

[0001] The present invention relates to a radiator element provided with a hooked closing cap.

[0002] In particular, the present invention applies to die-cast radiator elements in which after extracting the element from the mould, the element has an open end needed for the extraction of a male or sword required to make the internal cavity of the element destined to house the radiant fluid.

[0003] In the radiator elements of the prior art, a cap is placed next to the open end and is welded to the head by means of a welding robot, typically by brazing or autogenous welding, i.e. without the addition of material.

[0004] This solution is extremely slow and expensive to perform and involves high material wastage due to welding inaccuracies. Moreover, after welding burrs inevitably occur which among other things worsen the aesthetics of the element and determine inaccuracies in the subsequent painting operation of the radiator element .

[0005] In order to avoid such drawbacks, it is also known of in the art to make caps which are directly hooked to the open end of the radiator element, after the insertion of a sealing element or gasket.

[0006] Such solutions, however, have some further drawbacks. In fact, over time and with the different thermal expansions between the end of the radiator element (usually made of aluminium to improve the thermal exchange with the external environment) and the cap (usually made of steel since more robust) there may be leakages of liquid (typically water) .

[0007] Such leakages are harmful because they can cause serious damage to the environment where the radiator is situated, such as flooding.

[0008] There is thus the problem of having to ensure over time the absolute tightness of the join between the cap and the end of the radiator element. This tightness is ensured, as seen, by the sealing gasket alone interposed between the end and the cap and is devoid of any welding: it follows, as seen, that such tightness is extremely critical and difficult to ensure over time.

[0009] There is lastly a further technical problem related to the fact that in the solutions with steel caps it is necessary to prevent the water inside the radiator element from coming into contact with the inner steel wall of said cap. This is because there may be corrosion due to galvanic currents (i.e. electric currents of low intensity, generated by the electric potential difference between two different materials in contact with each other) , with consequent chemical corrosion of the cap, but also the phenomena of mechanical erosion of the cap due to the rubbing action of debris (such as limestone) carried in suspension in the flow of water inside the radiator element.

[0010] The purpose of. the present invention is to make a closing cap which overcomes the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art.

[0011] Such drawbacks and limitations are resolved by a radiator element according to claim 1.

[0012] Other embodiments of the cap according to the invention are described in the subsequent claims.

[0013] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly comprehensible from the -description given below of its preferred and non-limiting embodiments, wherein:

[0014] figure 1 is a perspective view, in separate parts of a radiator element provided with a cap according to the present invention;

[0015] figure 2 is a front view of a radiator element provided with a closing cap, in an assembled configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention; [0016] figure 3 shows a cross-section view of the radiator element in figure 2, along the cross-section plane III-III in figure 2;

[0017] figure 4 is a front view of a radiator element fitted with a closing cap, in an assembled configuration, according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] figure 5 shows a cross-section view of the radiator element in figure 4, along the cross-section plane V-V in figure 4;

[0019] figure 6 is a front view of a radiator element fitted with a closing cap, in an assembled configuration, according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] figure 7a shows a cross-section view of the radiator element in figure 6, along the cross-section plane VII-VII in figure 6;

[0021] figure 7b shows a cross-section view of the radiator element in figure 6, along the cross-section plane VII-VII in figure 6, according to a further embodiment ;

[0022] figure 8 is a front view of a radiator element fitted with a closing cap, in an assembled configuration, according to a further embodiment of the present invention; [0023] figure 9 shows a cross-section view of the radiator element in figure 8, along the cross-section plane IX-IX in figure 8;

[0024] figure 10 is a front view of a radiator element fitted with a closing cap, in an assembled configuration, according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] figures 11-12 shows a cross-section view of the radiator element in figure 10, along the cross-section plane XI-XI in figure 10, according to two possible embodiments.

[0026] The elements or parts of elements common to the embodiments described below will be indicated using the same reference numerals.

[0027] With reference to the aforementioned figures, reference numeral 4 globally denotes a radiator element provided with a cavity 8 and suitable to be crossed by a heat exchange fluid, typically water.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the radiator element extends in a main axial direction X-X.

[0029] Several radiator elements, joined in a battery, constitute, in the known manner, a radiator.

[0030] For example, . the radiator element 8 may be obtained by die casting, in which the cavity 8 is usually obtained through the use of a male or sword, of an elongated shape, which following the injection of metal, is extracted. The end from which the sword is extracted is thus an open end 12.

[0031] Said open end 12, according to one embodiment, has a cylindrical configuration, preferably axialsymmetric with respect to the main direction X.

[0032] The radiator element 4 comprises a closing cap

16 facing and sealed in a watertight manner to said open end 12.

[0033] In particular, the closing cap 16 is coupled according to a shaped coupling to the open end 12, as further described below.

[0034] ^" According to one embodiment, the closing cap 16 has an axially symmetrical shape, preferably relative to an axis coinciding with the main axial direction X of the open end 12 of the radiator element 4; for example said closing cap 16 has a circular course and is counter- shaped relative to the open end 12 so as to occlude the same .

[0035] Preferably, the closing cap 16 is made of galvanized or aluminized or stainless steel.

[0036] The closing cap 16 comprises a closure portion 20 at least partially inserted in said open end 12, and a coupling collar 24 at least partially folded at a front edge 28 of said open end 12, so as to realise the mechanical coupling between the closing cap 16 and said open end 12.

[0037] Between the open end 12 and the closing cap 16 watertight sealing means 32 are positioned to. ensure the hydraulic sealing of the closing cap 16 oh the open end 12.

[0038] Advantageously, the sealing means 32 comprise, in one piece therewith, a membrane 36 delimited by a peripheral edge 40, wherein the membrane 36 is facing the closure portion 20 of the closing cap 16.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the perimetral lip 40 comprises a raised perimeter 42 which constitutes a perimetral thickening of said membrane 36.

[0040] In particular, the peripheral lip and/or raised perimeter 40 is influenced in compression between the closing cap 16 and the open end 12 and realizes the hydraulic seal of the closing cap 16.

[0041] The membrane 36 and the perimetral lip 40 are removably laid on the closing cap 16 without the interposition of gluing means.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the raised perimeter 42 is an O-ring, in one piece with the membrane 36.

[0043] Preferably, said membrane 36 is an elastic membrane, in one piece with said perimetral lip or raised perimeter 40, 42. [0044] For example, said sealing means 32 consist of a gasket made of polymeric material, such as an EPDM rubber, a VITON rubber or a silicone rubber.

[0045] According to a further embodiment, the membrane 36 may be a cap applied to the closing cap 16.

[0046] According to a further embodiment, the membrane 36 may also comprise a washer made of plastic or another rigid material.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the closure portion 20 is concave towards the open end 12 so as to penetrate at least partially into said open end 12 and to achieve a centring of the closing cap 16 on the open end 12 of the radiator element 4.

[0048] According to one embodiment, between the membrane 36 and the closure portion 20 an interspace 44 or clearance is present, fluidically separate from the fluid of the radiator element 4.

[0049] According to a further embodiment, the membrane 36 is in contact with the closure portion 20; in other words there is clearance or there are interspaces between the membrane 36 and the closure portion 20.

[0050] For example, in an assembled configuration, the membrane 36 has a convex shape towards the inside of said open end 12.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the perimetral lip 40 is positioned inside the open end 12 of the radiator element 4 so as to abut against an inner side wall 48 of said open end 12, lapped by the fluid.

[0052] According to a possible embodiment, the closure portion 20 of the closing cap 16 has at least a perimetral seat 52 formed by a radial restriction, said perimetral seat 52 housing the perimetral lip 40 of the membrane 36 and supporting it against the inner side wall 48 of said open end 12.

[0053] For example the open end 12 has a substantially conical flaring ^' 56 at least partially counter-shaped relative to the closure portion 20 of the closing cap 16, said perimetral lip 40 stopping in abutment against the flaring 56 from the side of said inner side wall 48 of the open end 12.

[0054] According to a possible embodiment, the perimetral lip 40 abuts in compression between the closing cap 16 and the front edge 28.

[0055] Such edge may also have a raised perimeter 42.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the open end 12 comprises a protuberance 60 at an outer side wall 64 of the open end 12, said protuberance 60 defining an undercut 68 for the gripping of the coupling collar 24 of the closing cap 16.

[0057] For example the perimetral lip or raised perimeter 40, 42 abuts against said protuberance 60 at the outer side wall 64 of the open end 12, so as to. be compressed between the protuberance 60 and the coupling collar 24.

[0058] Preferably said protuberance 60 has a frusto-conical shape that tapers towards the associable closing cap 16 and the perimetral lip or raised perimeter (40, 42) abuts against a frusto-conical portion 72 of the protuberance 60.

[0059] As may be appreciated from the description, the radiator element according to the invention makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0060] In particular, thanks to the cap described it is possible to provide for the closure of open ends of radiator elements without having to perform any type of welding or brazing. Therefore there is no need for welding robots and all the inevitable wastage associated with welding operations is avoided.

[0061] As a result, the cap according to the present invention may be hooked to the relative end without inaccuracies or burrs from welding and virtually no waste.

[0062] Thanks to the fact that burrs do not occur, subsequent operations are not required to improve the aesthetics of the join. Furthermore, the cap, after being hooked, can be painted directly with excellent results because the paint does not need to cover inaccurate and irregular surfaces such as those obtained by welding.

[0063] The bending of the cap collar takes place in a uniform and gradual manner thanks to the simultaneous action of a plurality of jaws arranged preferably in steps .

[0064] This way the hooking of the cap is stable and safe ensuring the correct tightening of the cap on the end of the radiator element.

[0065] Such tightening deforms the gasket which adapting to the configuration of the coupling portion of the end ensures the correct hermetic seal.

[0066] Furthermore, the seal provided avoids a direct contact between the ends of radiator element and the closing cap at the part lapped by the water, so as to avoid the occurrence and propagation of galvanic currents and consequent corrosion phenomena.

[0067] In addition, the gasket in elastomeric material also avoids the occurrence of noise and chafing due to different shrinkage between the end of the radiator element and the cap resulting from different thermal expansion coefficients.

[0068] Furthermore, the seal prevents direct contact between the water and relative debris (e.g. limestone) with the inner part of the cap which is therefore not subject to mechanical abrasion.

[0069] Furthermore, the inner gasket is housed on the closing cap without being glued to its inner wall: this way during assembly the gasket is not subjected to excessive radial stresses and possible cracking. In other words, not being mechanically fastened (for example by gluing) to the inner wall of the closing cap, the gasket can adapt to the geometry of the cap and the end of the radiator element, i.e. the geometry of the interspace which is created between the end of the radiator element and the closing cap.

[0070] A person skilled in the art may make numerous modifications and variations to the radiator element described above so as to satisfy contingent and specific requirements while remaining within the sphere of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims .