Field of the Invention

Present invention relates to a distribution connection with concealed mounting of a thermostatic valve with electrically or alternatively remotely controlled head below and behind one- plate radiator plate or between radiator plates so that its damage by accidental external contact with surroundings , e . g . during a room cleaning, is prevented.

Description of the Prior Art

At existing solutions there is a thermostatic valve , as far as it is integrated into a plate radiator, always positioned in the side of radiators so that a head is mounted outside the radiator . In the case the thermostatic valve is not integrated in the radiator, it is positioned beside or below the radiator and the head is positioned outside of the radiator again . In both described cases there is a risk of damage of the thermostatic valve head . This method of installation is defined by demand of manual operation of the thermostatic valve head which is not necessary in the case of electrical controlling . Positioning of electrically controlled thermostatic valve and head into the radiator is described e . g . in document DE 197 09 534 Al . Mentioned existing solutions are problematic, complex, and expensive in terms of production and operation to the extent that they have not been implemented into the production till now . The distribution connection for the thermostatic valve - positioning used in these solutions always has included complex and difficultly producible parts . This was mostly related to adj ustment of already existing parts for the distribution connection production by insertion of various partitions or passages which means that resulting parts were very difficultly producible or there was no possibility to install any standard, commonly produced thermostatic valves into them and it was needed to use various modified valves .

Nature of the Invention

The invention of the distribution connection allowing concealed mounting of the thermostatic valve with electrically or alternatively remotely controlled head provides an integration of the thermostatic valve with the head (hereinafter referred as "the thermostatic valve" ) into the radiator so that the head of the thermostatic valve is concealed behind the radiator ( one- plate radiators ) or within it i . e . between plate radiator plates (multi-plate radiators ) after the mounting which means that by virtue of this positioning the head is protected from damage and at the same time this invention provides new simple design of the radiator .

From physical point of view, placement of the head in lower colder part of the radiator is advantageous which is allowed by this invention .

The invention is based on the fact that distribution connection has modular construction and contains most of the parts used for mass production of existing distribution connections . These parts are only slightly adj usted where necessary . New solution is constituted by tube body allowing the mounting of the thermostatic valve in lower part of the distribution connection that is designed to be produced in simple way, also within small-lot production, e . g . by machining or forging, and that can be one-piece solution in order to the production simplification or can be made of two parts - tube body and sleeve . However, no extreme requirements for strength or tightness ( a j oint is not present on outer side of the distribution connection) are set on the j oint of these two parts , therefore it is possible to connect these parts easily, e . g . by pressing or welding . The distribution connection consists of input part connected with output bushing and tube body that is equipped with the sleeve on the one end and a thread on the other end in order to connect the thermostatic valve to the head . In the tube body shell , there is radial aperture present to attach connecting pipe that is connected with upper connecting part . The tube body end is fixedly connected with the input part for hot water inflow that is fixedly connected with lower connecting part for water inflow and outflow from the radiator plates . The sleeve positioned on the tube body end outfalls inwards the tube body . The thermostatic valve with the head is positioned between the radiator plates so that it does not overlap their outlines .

Tin advantage of this invention, except of construction as well as production simplicity, is also the fact that interchange of the parts enables production of the distribution connection designated for positioning on the radiator periphery as well as its middle part , eventually also a design where it is possible to locate the radiator head within the radiator as well as outside of the radiator, i . e . the head is positioned outside and in the side of the radiator at its upper part , the same way as it is at existing standard radiators with integrated thermostatic valve . That means that this plate radiator can be used as necessary as existing standard radiator with integrated thermostatic valve as well as e . g . for positioning in public buildings as the plate radiator with concealed head .

Similarly, it is possible to adj ust easily the construction of this distribution connection also for utilization at other types of radiators than the plate radiators . An advantage of present invention is that these distribution connections can be produced also within small-lot production as here are not any new special parts that would require any special (and expensive ) tools to be prepared for their production .

Another advantage rests in the fact that the tube body for the thermostatic valve mounting can be adj usted easily, only by a change of seating area shape or the body length change so that it will be possible to use the thermostatic valves made by various producers as the valves made by various producers can differentiate in their length or installation method, particularly sealing to the radiator .

Overview of Figures in Drawings

Another advantages and effects of the radiator connection to heating circuit configuration are apparent from accompanying drawings wherein :

Fig . la - the simplest configuration of the distribution connection with the tube body for attachment of the thermostatic valve , particularly for its positioning to the plate radiator middle part .

Fig . lb - the simplest configuration of the distribution connection with assembled thermostatic valve , appropriate especially for its positioning to the plate radiator middle part .

Fig . 2 - a configuration of the distribution connection with the thermostatic valve , appropriate particularly for its positioning to the plate radiator lower centre part with alternative possibilities of the thermostatic valve mounting onto upper connecting part that is blinded on the drawing .

Fig . 3 - a configuration of the distribution connection with the thermostatic valve wherein the thermostatic valve is connected to upper connecting part .

Fig . 4 - represents a variant of the distribution connection destined for design radiators .

Fig . 5 - concealed positioning of the distribution connection with the thermostatic valve to the plate radiator lower centre part between the radiator plates .

Fig . 6 - concealed positioning of the distribution connection with the thermostatic valve to the plate radiator lower left part between the radiator plates . Examples of the Invention Embodiments

Example embodiments described in detail below represent most frequent but not sole embodiments of present invention .

Example 1

Heating water distribution connection with concealed mounting of the thermostatic valve with the head on and between the plate radiator plates so that it does not overlap the radiator outlines is depicted in Fig . la and lb . The distribution connection G consists of input part 5 connected with output bushing 2 and tube body 7 that is equipped with the sleeve 6 on the one end 71 and a thread Z on the other end 72 in order to connect the thermostatic valve 11 to the head and with radial aperture 81 in the tube body 7 shell 73 to attach connecting pipe 8 that is connected with upper connecting part 10 , wherein the tube body 7 end 71 is fixedly connected with the input part 5 for hot water inflow that is fixedly connected with lower connecting part 1 for water inflow and outflow from the radiator plates 21 and 23. The sleeve 6 positioned on the tube body end 71 outfalls inwards the tube body 7. The thermostatic valve 11 with the head is positioned between the radiator plates 21 and 23 so that it does not overlap their outlines . The principle of this example embodiment is lower part of the distribution connection G represented by lower connecting part 1 for its welding to the radiator plate , namely to one or to two plates ( in latter case it forms a connection between these two plates ) , wherein lower connecting part 1 is equipped with output bushing 2 and connected with input part 5 equipped with input bushing 4 wherein this node is presently used for production of standard plate radiators with centric connection . The part of this distribution connection G variant is pipe 8 connecting upper connecting part 10 designed for welding to one or two radiator plates 21 , 23 ( in latter case it forms a connection between these two plates ) , that can be the same as the connecting part 1 but without bushing 2 or it can be represented by simple tube . Connection between input part 5 and pipe 8 is made of the tube body 7 designed for the thermostatic valve 11 mounting .

The radiator equipped with this distribution connection G operates so that hot heating water inflowing into the radiator input bushing 4 through input part 5 flows to the sleeve 6 that is embraced by the thermostatic valve 11 screwed to the tube body 7. The head (not shown) controlling water flow through the radiator by means of the valve 11 is fitted on the thermostatic valve 11. Heating water flows from the thermostatic valve 11 through the pipe 8 into upper connecting part 10 and therefrom through the aperture 9 into one or two radiator plates 21 , 23 . Heating water cools down in the radiator plates 21, 23 and outflows therefrom through the aperture 3 into lower connecting part 1 and further outflows out of the distribution connection G by means of output bushing 2 .

Example 2

Example embodiment is depicted in Fig . 2 and Fig . 3 that represent a configuration of distribution connection G with mounting of the thermostatic valve 11 with not shown head within or outside of plate radiator . This variant is designated for the distribution connection G positioning on the radiator periphery . The principle of this variant is lower node again, made of lower connecting part 1 designed for welding to one or two radiator plates ( in latter case it forms a connection between these two plates ) that is equipped with output bushing 2 and input part 5 equipped with input bushing 4, lower connecting part 1 is furthermore equipped with another horizontally positioned bushing 14. Moreover, the pipe 8 with prolonged upper end 13 and upper connecting part 10 designed for welding to one or two radiator plate ( in latter case it forms a connection between these two plates ) and equipped also with another horizontal bushing 12 is part of this variant . Connection between input part 5 and pipe 8 is made of the tube body 7 designed for the thermostatic valve 11 mounting .

The radiator equipped with the distribution connection G in accordance with Fig . 2 operates so that hot heating water inflowing into the radiator input bushing 4 through input part 5 flows to the sleeve 6 that is embraced by the thermostatic valve 11 screwed to the tube body 7 The head (not shown) controlling water flow through the radiator by means of the valve 11 is fitted on the thermostatic valve 11. Heating water flows from the thermostatic valve 11 through the pipe 8 into upper connecting part 10 with the bushing 12 closed by a plug 15 and therefrom through the aperture 9 into one or two radiator plates 21, 23. Heating water cools down in the radiator plates 21, 23 and outflows therefrom through the aperture 3 into lower connecting part 1 with bushing 14 closed by screwed plug 15 and further outflows out of the distribution connection G by means of output bushing 2.

The radiator equipped with the distribution connection G in accordance with Fig . 3 operates so that hot heating water inflows into the distribution connection G by means of input bushing 4 and through input part 5 flows to the sleeve 6 and to the tube body 7 closed by a plug 15. Therefrom water flows through the pipe 8 into the radiator upper part . Upper prolonged end 13 of the pipe 8 is embraced by the thermostatic valve 11 screwed to the bushing 12 of upper connecting part 10. The head (not shown) controlling water flow through the radiator from upper connecting part 10 and therefrom through aperture 9 to one or two radiator plates by means of the valve 11 is fitted on the thermostatic valve 11 .

Heating water cools down in the radiator and outflows therefrom through the aperture 3 into lower connecting part 1 with the bushing 14 closed by screwed plug 15 and further outflows out of the radiator by means of output bushing 2 . Example 3

The principle of this variant ( see Fig . 4 ) is lower node again, this time only made of input part 5 equipped with input bushing 4. This node is virtually the same as presently used bushings for one-plate radiators . Input node is fixed into design radiator by means of clamp 20 welded to bus-bar 16. The part of this variant is also pipe 8. Connection between input part 5 and pipe 8 is made of the tube body 7 with the sleeve 6 designed for the thermostatic valve 11 mounting . The sleeve 6 shape can be simply modified according to the thermostatic valve 11 type .

The radiator equipped with this distribution connection G operates so that hot heating water inflows into the distribution connection G ( radiator) through input bushing 5 and through that it flows to the sleeve 6 that is embraced by the thermostatic valve 11 screwed to the tube body 7 . The head (not shown) controlling water flow through the radiator by means of the valve 11 is fitted on the thermostatic valve 11. Heating water flows from the thermostatic valve 11 through the pipe 8 into upper part of the bus-bar 16 and therefrom by means of apertures 19 into individual heating profiles 17 and not shown bus-bar on the opposite side of the radiator .

Cooled heating water returns back by means of apertures 19 to the bus-bar 16 and therefrom outflows from the radiator through output bushing 18. The bus-bar 16 can be equipped with not shown partitions or shutters in order to ensure proper water flow .

Example 4

This example depicts one of positioning possibilities of the distribution connection G between the radiator plates 21 and 23 ( see Fig . 5 ) . The distribution connection G is welded to the radiator plates 21 and 23 in their middle part . Water flow through the radiator is controlled by the thermostatic head 22 mounted on the thermostatic valve 11 positioned in the distribution connection G. This variant represents concealed positioning of the thermostatic valve 11 with the thermostatic head 22 between the radiator plates .

Example 5

Fig . 6 depicts the distribution connection G positioning variant on the radiator plates 21 and 23 periphery that is welded to . Water flow through the radiator is controlled by the thermostatic head 22 mounted in conceal manner between the radiator plates 21 and 23 on the thermostatic valve 11 positioned in lower part of the distribution connection G.

Industrial Applicability

The invention allows concealed mounting of the thermostatic valve with electrically or alternatively remotely controlled head below and behind one-plate radiator plate or between the radiator plates so that its damage by accidental external contact with surroundings , e . g . during a room cleaning, is prevented .