Heat transfer panel

Abstract

A heat transfer panel system comprises a heat transfer panel 1 and a heat diffusion layer covering an upper surface 6 of the panel. The panel has two side faces 2,3, two end faces 4,5, and channels fo

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to heat transfer panels of the kind having channels to receive a heat transfer pipe which conducts a heat transfer fluid in use. BACKGROUND Such heat transfer panels are widely used in underfloor heating systems, although they can also be used in other circumstances, e.g. installed in walls or ceilings, or used for cooling purposes. The panels are typically formed from a material which provides structural strength and exhibits some heat insulating properties such as chipboard. They are normally rectangular with channels cut into the top face to receive the heating pipes, and are laid end-to-end and side-by-side. In underfloor heating the panels may be covered with a concrete screed which embeds the heat transfer pipes and conducts heat into the floor structure above. In dry floor construction the upper surface of the panels may be covered by metallic heat diffuser plates or a heat diffusion layer which conducts heat away from the pipes into a timber floor deck above. In most underfloor heating installations the heating pipes are installed with a combination of straight runs and curves. In a plain rectangular room a heating pipe may cross the room from side-to-side in straight lengths which turn through 180 degrees at the periphery. In many cases however, complex shapes need to be covered, e.g. to negotiate fireplaces and alcoves. A greater number of curves and bends often need to be incorporated in kitchens to work around built-in cupboards, appliances, or work islands, and to circumvent baths, showers, toilets and wash basins in bathrooms. As a result, very complex layouts may be required. Known heat transfer panels generally have substantially straight and mutually parallel routing channels to accommodate the straight pipe runs. The routing channels may be linked by circular channels which enable the pipe to be turned through 180 degrees and diverted into an adjacent channel. Semi-circular channels may be provided at the edges of the panel, with quarter-circles at the corners. However, as the channel patterns become more complex in an effort to accommodate a wider range of pipe layouts the panels become more complicated to manufacture. In addition, the removal of material can structurally weaken the panels, reduces their heat insulation values, and also results in a large volume of waste material which is ecologically undesirable. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION When viewed from one aspect the present invention proposes that the channels formed in the upper surface of the heat transfer panel include: - routing channels which extend between said end faces, and - link channels which extend between said side faces whereby a heat transfer pipe can be redirected between routing channels. The routing channels include only channels which are substantially straight and mutually parallel, and the link channels include only channels which follow a continuous sinuous route between the side faces. The link channels are therefore mutually distinct, being linked only by the routing channels. The configuration of the channels is such that when an end face of one such panel is placed against a side face of another such panel at least two routing channels of one panel can be simultaneously aligned with link channels of the other panel. Such an arrangement provides a range of options to run pipes between panels laid perpendicular to each other and enables complex layouts to be produced. In a preferred embodiment each link channel comprises a series of interconnected semi-circular sections. Each end of the link channel preferably comprises a quarter-circle section which connects an outer routing channel with the adjacent side face of the panel. In a preferred embodiment the link channels are arranged in pairs. One link channel of a pair is preferably a mirror image of the other link channel of the pair. In a preferred embodiment the routing channels are all arranged with the same mutual spacing which is represented herein by the letter S. In a preferred embodiment the distance between the outermost routing channels and the adjacent side face = S / 2. In a preferred embodiment the ends of the link channels are mutually spaced by a distance NS, where N is an integral number. In a preferred embodiment the ends of the link channels are mutually spaced by a distance NS, where N is 3 or 1. In a preferred embodiment the ends of the link channels are mutually spaced by a distance alternating between 3S and S. In a preferred embodiment the distance between the end of an outermost link channel and the adjacent end face = S / 2. Generally the end faces will be shorter than the side faces. In a preferred embodiment the end faces and the side faces of the panel are both substantially straight and parallel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view showing the upper surface of a heat transfer panel; Figure 2 is a general view of a corner of the heating panel showing part of one end face; Figure 3 is a plan view of a number of the panels as laid on adjacent floor joists; Figure 4 is a complex layout formed from the heating panels demonstrating the range of options for routing a heat transfer pipe between the panels. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to Fig.s 1 and 2, the heat transfer panel 1 is rectangular with a pair of side faces 2 and 3, a pair of end faces 4 and 5, an upper surface 6 formed with channels 7 and 8 to receive a heat transfer pipe (not shown) and a plain bottom face 9. The the end faces 4 and 5 are substantially straight and parallel and are shorter than the side faces 2 and 3 which are also straight and parallel. By way of example, a typical panel may be formed of 22 mm thick chipboard (bonded timber chips) with 2400 mm long side faces 2 and 3 and 600 mm long end faces 4 and 5, although the dimensions may vary. The channels for the heat transfer pipe include routing channels 7 which extend between the end faces 4 and 5, intercepting the end faces at opposite ends of the panel. In the present example four such routing channels are shown, although the number may again vary. These routing channels are substantially straight and mutually parallel and are equally spaced by a distance S, e.g. at 150mm centres, with the two outer channels each being spaced 75 mm (half S) from the respective side faces 2 and 3. Thus, when two such panels are placed side-to-side the channel spacing is maintained across the panels. The channels for the heat transfer pipe also include link channels 8 which extend between the side faces 2 and 3 intercepting the side faces on both sides of the panel. The link channels are mutually distinct, being connected only by the routing channels 7. Each of the link channels 8 follows a continuous sinuous route between the side faces 2 and 3 and comprises a series of interconnected semi-circular sections 8a of opposite hands, arranged such that each semi-circular section interconnects two adjacent routing channels 7 allowing a heat transfer pipe to be redirected between the routing channels. Each end of the link channel comprises a quarter-circle section 8b which connects the respective outer routing channel 7 with the adjacent side face 2, 3 of the panel. The link channels 8 are arranged in pairs (preferably an equal number of pairs - four pairs in this example) with adjacent link channels being mirror images of each other alternating along the length of the panel. The link channels are positioned such that, along each of the side faces 2 and 3, the spacing between the end of the outermost link channel and the adjacent end face 4, 5 is equal to the spacing between the outermost routing channels 7 and the adjacent side face, i.e. half S or 75 mm in this example. Along the remainder of the panel the spacing between the ends of the link channels 8 alternates between 3S or 450 mm (three times the spacing between the routing channels 7) and 150 mm (the spacing S between the routing channels 7). Summarising the various distances therefore: Distance between routing channels = S Distance between outermost routing channels and adjacent side face = S / 2 Distance between end of outermost link channel and adjacent end face = S / 2 Distance between ends of ends of adjacent link channels = S and 3S Although the number of channels is relatively small their configuration nevertheless makes the panels extremely versatile. With the panels laid end-to-end heat transfer pipes can be laid in straight runs via the routing channels 7. A heat transfer pipe running in either direction along one of the routing channels 7 can be redirected into an adjacent routing channel to travel in the opposite direction, e.g. at the edge of a room. The panels can be laid in side-to-side contact with the link channels of adjacent panels aligned to allow redirection of the heat transfer pipes into the routing channels of adjacent panels. As shown in Fig. 3, alignment of the channels is also maintained if the joints J between the adjacent panels are staggered by one half panel in a half-sheet arrangement in the manner of a stretcher bond. The joints can therefore be distributed between floor joists T, thereby increasing the strength of the floor structure. Fig. 4 shows a further advantage of the present heat transfer panels which enables the run of the heat transfer pipes to be changed through 90 degrees enabling the construction of complex layouts. The arrangement of the heating channels 7 and 8 is such that when an end face of one panel is placed against a side face of another such panel two routing channels 7 of one panel can be simultaneously aligned with two link channels 8 of the other panel. As indicated at the positions referenced L, the arrangement provides numerous options to run the pipework in and out of the panels laid perpendicular to each other. Depending on their relative positions, any two adjacent routing channels can be simultaneously aligned with any two of the link channels which are spaced 150 mm. Alternatively, the two outermost routing channels can be simultaneously aligned with the outermost link channels which are spaced at 450 mm. The dimensions stated above by way of example are suitable for heat transfer panels intended for use with with standard 400 mm joist spacing, but they can also be used with joists spaced at 16 inches (406 mm) by fixing timber support battens to the sides of the joists. Furthermore, with smaller pipe diameters and / or larger panel sizes the number of routing channels and link channels per panel may be increased allowing more than two routing channels to be simultaneously aligned with the link channels of another panel. The heat transfer panels described above therefore accommodate a wide range of pipe layouts whilst at the same time being straightforward to manufacture with a minimum amount of waste material. The panels retain their structural strength reducing the need to use thicker panels or additional floor insulation, thus allowing floor depths to be minimised. Whilst the above description places emphasis on the areas which are believed to be new and addresses specific problems which have been identified, it is intended that the features disclosed herein may be used in any combination which is capable of providing a new and useful advance in the art. INVENTIONS Aspects of the invention disclosed herein are set out in the following clause^. 1. A heat transfer panel having a pair of side faces (2,3), a pair of end faces (4, 5), and an upper surface formed with channels (7, 8) to receive a heat transfer pipe, wherein said channels include: routing channels (7) which extend between said end faces, and link channels (8) which extend between said side faces whereby a heat transfer pipe can be redirected between routing channels, wherein said routing channels (7) include only channels which are substantially straight and mutually parallel and said link channels (8) include only channels which follow a continuous sinuous route between said side faces; wherein the arrangement is such that when an end face (4, 5) of one such panel is placed against a side face (2, 3) of another such panel at least two routing channels (7) of one panel can be simultaneously aligned with link channels (8) of the other panel. 2. A heat transfer panel according to clause 1 wherein each link channel (8) comprises a series of interconnected semi-circular sections (8a). 3. A heat transfer panel according to clause 2 wherein each end of the link channel (8) comprises a quarter-circle section (8b) which connects an outer routing channel (7) with the adjacent side face (2, 3) of the panel. 4. A heat transfer panel according to any of clauses 1 to 3 wherein the link channels (8) are arranged in pairs. 5. A heat transfer panel according to clause 4 wherein one link channel of a pair is a mirror image of the other link channel of the pair. 6. A heat transfer panel according to any preceding clause wherein the routing channels (7) are all arranged with the same mutual spacing S. 7. A heat transfer panel according to clause 6 wherein the distance between the outermost routing channels (7) and the adjacent side face = S / 2, whe spacing between the routing channels. 8. A heat transfer panel according to clause 6 or clause 7 wherein the ends of the link channels (8) are mutually spaced by a distance NS, where N is an integral number and S is the spacing between the routing channels. 9. A heat transfer panel according to clause 6, 7 or 8 wherein the ends of the link channels (8) are mutually spaced by a distance NS, where N is 3 or 1 and S is the spacing between the routing channels. 10. A heat transfer panel according to any of clauses 6 to 9 wherein the ends of the link channels (8) are mutually spaced by a distance alternating between 3S and S, where S is the spacing between the routing channels. 11. A heat transfer panel according to any of clauses 6 to 10 wherein the distance between the end of an outermost link channel (8) and the adjacent end face = S / 2, where S is the spacing between the routing channels. 12. A heat transfer panel according to any preceding clause wherein the end faces (4,5) are shorter than the side faces (2, 3). 13. A heat transfer panel according to any preceding clause wherein the end faces (4, 5) are substantially straight and parallel. 14. A heat transfer panel according to any preceding clause wherein the side faces (2, 3) are substantially straight and parallel.

Claims

1. A heat transfer panel system for use in dry floor construction, the system including:a heat transfer panel having a pair of side faces (2,3), a pair of end faces (4, 5), and an upper surface formed with channels (7, 8) to receive a heat transfer pipe, wherein said channels include:routing channels (7) which extend between said end faces, and- link channels (8) which extend between said side faces whereby a heat transfer pipe can be redirected between routing channels,wherein said routing channels (7) include only channels which are substantially straight and mutually parallel and said link channels (8) include only channels which follow a continuous sinuous route between said side faces;wherein the arrangement is such that when an end face (4, 5) of one such panel is placed against a side face (2, 3) of another such panel at least two routing channels (7) of one panel can be simultaneously aligned with link channels (8) of the other panel;and the heat transfer system further including a heat diffusion layer covering the upper surface of the panel.

2. A heat transfer panel system according to claim 1 wherein each link channel (8) comprises a series of interconnected semi-circular sections (8a).

3. A heat transfer panel system according to claim 2 wherein each end of the link channel (8) comprises a quarter-circle section (8b) which connects an outer routing channel (7) with the adjacent side face (2, 3) of the panel.

4. A heat transfer panel system according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the link channels (8) are arranged in pairs.

5. A heat transfer panel system according to claim 4 wherein one link channel of a pair is a mirror image of the other link channel of the pair.

6. A heat transfer panel system according to any preceding claim wherein the routing channels (7) are all arranged with the same mutual spacing S.

7. A heat transfer panel system according to claim 6 wherein the distance between the outermost routing channels (7) and the adjacent side face = S / 2, where S is the spacing between the routing channels.

8. A heat transfer panel system according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the ends of the link channels (8) are mutually spaced by a distance NS, where N is an integral number and S is the spacing between the routing channels.

9. A heat transfer panel system according to claim 6, 7 or 8 wherein the ends of the link channels (8) are mutually spaced by a distance NS, where N is 3 or 1 and S is the spacing between the routing channels.

10. A heat transfer panel system according to any of claims 6 to 9 wherein the ends of the link channels (8) are mutually spaced by a distance alternating between 3S and S, where S is the spacing between the routing channels.

11. A heat transfer panel system according to any of claims 6 to 10 wherein the distance between the end of an outermost link channel (8) and the adjacent end face = S / 2, where S is the spacing between the routing channels.

12. A heat transfer panel system according to any preceding claim wherein the end faces (4,5) are shorter than the side faces (2, 3).

13. A heat transfer panel system according to any preceding claim wherein the end faces (4, 5) are substantially straight and parallel.

14. A heat transfer panel system according to any preceding claim wherein the side faces (2, 3) are substantially straight and parallel.

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