Radiator with improved geometry

Abstract

The invention relates to a radiator comprising at least one collector (10) and a plurality of elongated radiant elements (12; 14; 16; 18) which are each mechanically and fluidically connected to said at least one collector, each radiant element extending over a length, having a cross-section defined by a height Ht and a width and comprising a portion of its length which fits inside said at least one collector over at least a part a of the height Ht, with 0.05Ht ≤ a ≤ Ht.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a radiator with a collector and radiant elements connected to the collector.

[0002] We know of radiator configurations which include two cylindrical collectors and radiant elements in the form of tubes which are each connected mechanically and fluidically to the collectors.

[0003] The tubes are arranged outside the manifolds and are perpendicular to said manifolds. Each tube is mechanically connected to the external surface of the manifolds by two zones separated from the external surface of each tube, with the fluid entering the tube and exiting through these two zones respectively.

[0004] This connection geometry, however, presents certain drawbacks, as welding the tubes to the external surface of the cylindrical manifolds in the areas where they are in contact with each other is not easy. Indeed, the contact areas between the two cylindrical surfaces are difficult to access.

[0005] Furthermore, when painting the radiator, applying paint in these hard-to-reach areas also proves problematic.

[0006] Furthermore, cleaning the radiators thus created by the end users of these radiators is not an easy task.

[0007] It would therefore be interesting to design a new radiator geometry with collector(s) and radiant elements connected to the collector(s) that would overcome at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0008] The invention thus relates to a radiator comprising at least one collector and a plurality of elongated radiant elements which are each mechanically and fluidically connected to said at least one collector, each elongated radiant element extending over a length, having a cross-section defined by a height Ht and a width and comprising at least a portion of its length which fits inside said at least one collector over at least a part a of the height Ht, with 0.05Ht ≤ a ≤ Ht.

[0009] The interlocking or embedding of the radiant elements in the collector(s) offers a surface / contact zone between radiant element(s) and collector(s) that is larger than in the prior art and therefore much more accessible for carrying out interventions or operations.

[0010] In particular, the operations of attaching the radiant elements to the manifold(s), painting the radiator, and cleaning it are greatly facilitated. Furthermore, this new geometry / configuration of the connection / joining between the radiant element and the manifold reduces, or even eliminates, the corrosion phenomena that occurred in the prior art near the interface between the radiant element and the manifold.

[0011] The internal flow area available to the fluid between the manifold and the radiant element can thus be increased compared to prior art, thereby increasing the flow rate and promoting internal fluid circulation. This can improve the efficiency of heat exchange in certain configurations. Furthermore, pressure losses can be reduced. When radiators are connected in series in a circuit, this can be advantageous as it avoids oversizing the circuit's pump.

[0012] Furthermore, this new geometry / connection / connection configuration between radiant element and collector offers greater flexibility in the choice of radiator geometries and architectures.

[0013] It should be noted that the radiant elements can be completely fitted / embedded in the collector(s) when a=Ht. However, the radiant elements penetrating the collector(s) remain flush with the external upper surface of the collector(s).

[0014] Depending on other possible characteristics: Each radiant element is fitted inside said at least one collector over at least a part a of the height Ht, with 0.55Ht ≤ a ≤ Ht so as to mechanically lock the radiant element inside said at least one collector; this new connection or connection configuration between the radiant elements and one or more collectors makes it possible to obtain a mechanical locking of the radiant elements in the collector(s) due to the depth of fitting which exceeds half of the height Ht; the radiant elements remain however visible (for example at the extreme limit by an edge) according to a plan view (front view of the radiator) taken perpendicular to the height of the radiant elements and showing the latter in their entire length, assembled to the collector(s);each radiating element is fitted inside said at least one collector along its entire height Ht when the height of said at least one collector is greater than or equal to 1.2Ht; said at least one collector has a generally elongated shape and the radiating elements each fit over a fraction of the length of said at least one collector; said at least one collector has a height perpendicular to its length and the radiating elements each penetrate a part of the height of said at least one collector; each radiating element is fluidically connected to said at least one collector by one or more internal openings; the opening(s) have a total passage area offered to the fluid that is greater than the passage area offered to the fluid in a configuration where the radiating element is connected to said at least one collector without penetrating inside the latter;The radiating elements are mechanically connected to at least one manifold by brazing or welding; the cross-section of the radiating elements is chosen from among the following shapes: circular, square, rectangular, triangular, oval, semi-oval, flattened oval, rhombus; generally, the cross-section of a radiating element may have any polygonal shape; said at least one manifold has a cross-section having a shape chosen from among the following shapes: circular, square, rectangular, triangular, oval; generally, the cross-section of a manifold may have any polygonal shape; the radiating elements are arranged parallel or non-parallel to each other; the radiating elements are arranged perpendicular or obliquely to said at least one manifold; the radiating elements are not all arranged in the same plane;in a plane containing a longitudinal section of said at least one collector and a cross-section of the radiating elements, the cross-section of each of the radiating elements is capable of adopting any angular geometric orientation (in the plane) around a longitudinal axis of the radiating element (this axis is perpendicular to the aforementioned plane); said radiating elements having cross-sections of non-circular shapes; it will be noted that this characteristic applies to cross-sections of non-circular shapes (e.g., square, rectangular, triangular, oval, semi-oval, flattened oval, rhombus; in general, the cross-section of a radiating element can have any polygonal shape) insofar as it is not relevant to speak of the geometric orientation of a circle in a plane;according to this geometric orientation characteristic, the face(s) of the radiating elements (these faces extend perpendicularly to the cross-section) can adopt any possible angular orientation in the aforementioned plane relative to the adjacent surface or face of the collector (for example, the horizontal surface / top face when the collector is arranged horizontally and the radiating elements are located on the side of the surface / top face of the collector); the angular orientation of the cross-section is fixed for a given radiating element but it can take any value and may not be identical from one radiating element to another;the cross-section can thus be rotated by any angle (the angle depends on the shape of the cross-section and can therefore be between 0 and 90° for a square shape because after rotating the square by 90° we return to a position already obtained) with respect to a reference position or neutral position (such a position generally corresponds to the position in which geometric shapes are represented in a plane; for example, a triangle is represented with its base horizontal and its vertex oriented upwards and a rectangle is represented with its long sides horizontal); here the radial elements are generally arranged perpendicular to the collector(s) but they could alternatively form an angle other than 90° with the collector(s);In addition to the characteristic relating to angular orientation, the radiant elements can be more or less embedded / nested in the manifold and, for example, be sufficiently embedded / nested to obtain a mechanical lock as explained above; radiant elements are connected to said manifold at least on either side of it; thus, the radiator can have radiant elements arranged on two opposite sides of the manifold(s);said at least one collector is chosen from one of the following configurations: a single collector, two parallel collectors side by side (the collectors may be arranged near one of the two opposite ends of at least some of the radiating elements or in the central part of at least some of the radiating elements), two parallel collectors spaced in such a way that the elongated radiating elements fit into the two collectors with at least one of the two opposite ends of said radiating elements being located outside or inside a collector.;

[0015] The invention also relates to a radiator element comprising at least one manifold and at least one elongated radiant element mechanically and fluidically connected to said at least one manifold. This radiant element extends over a length, has a cross-section defined by a height Ht and a width, and comprises at least a portion of its length that fits inside said at least one manifold over at least a portion a of the height Ht, with 0.05H ≤ a ≤ Ht. Preferably, the fit / interlocking can be configured such that 0.55H ≤ a ≤ Ht, in order to mechanically lock the radiant element inside said at least one manifold.

[0016] The radiator element has the same advantages and characteristics as those stated above regarding the radiator and will not be repeated here.

[0017] The invention also relates to a radiator comprising such a radiator element in which several radiant elements are each connected to at least one manifold. The characteristics described above in relation to the radiator can also be applied here to this new way of defining the radiator based on a radiator element (a unit element with at least one manifold and one radiant element) which comprises several radiant elements.

[0018] Other features and advantages will become apparent in the following description, given solely as a non-limiting example and with reference to the attached drawings, on which: Figures 1a and 1b represent different shapes of radiant elements partially nested in a manifold; Figure 1c represents a radiator configuration in which radiant elements are partially nested on two opposite sides of a manifold; Figure 2 is a top perspective view of part of a radiator according to an embodiment of the invention; Figures 3a-d, 4a-c and 5a-e represent different possible assembly configurations of radiant elements and radiator manifolds with various shapes and depths of nesting; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a radiant element partially penetrating two side-by-side manifolds; Figure 7 schematically and generally illustrates changes in geometric orientation or angular position of a radiant element of arbitrary cross-section in a plane P;Figures 8a-e illustrate different geometric orientations or angular positions of radial elements of different cross-sections and different embedding depths in a collector; Figure 8f schematically represents the type of geometric orientation of the radial elements with respect to the collector(s) as illustrated in Figures 8a-e; Figure 9a schematically represents another possible type of geometric orientation of the radial elements with respect to the collector(s); Figures 9b-g illustrate, for radial elements of different cross-sections, different geometric orientations or angular positions with respect to a collector according to the type of geometric orientation of Figure 9a; Figure 9h represents another possible type of geometric orientation of radial elements with respect to the collector(s);Figures 10a-k illustrate different possible configurations or architectures of radiators according to different embodiments of the invention; Figures 11a-c schematically represent examples of assembly by welding / brazing of radiant elements with one or more collectors according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 12 is a comparative view of a part of a conventional radiator and a part of a radiator according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0019] Figures 1a and 1b schematically illustrate the principle of connecting elongated radiant elements to a manifold in a radiator according to an embodiment of the invention. Figures 1a-1b show the cross-section of different types of radiant elements, not their longitudinal extension perpendicular to the plane of the figures. The manifold is shown in cross-section along its length (here truncated). Various possible cross-sectional shapes of radiant elements (non-exhaustive) are shown here, but this does not mean that the radiant elements in a radiator according to the invention necessarily have different shapes. The radiant elements may, in fact, all have the same cross-section or, at least for one or more of them, have a different cross-section.

[0020] For the sake of simplicity, the radiant elements will be referred to as tubes in the rest of this discussion, but it should be noted that their cross-section is not limited to the circular cross-section of a tube. Indeed, the elongated radiant elements or tubes of the radiator can adopt any other cross-sectional geometry: square, rhombus, rectangle, semi-oval, oval, flattened oval, triangular, etc.

[0021] Only one manifold is shown here. This may be a single manifold for the radiator. Alternatively, another manifold may be present in the radiator but arranged parallel to the one in Figures 1a-b and therefore not visible in those figures. The following description applies equally to one or two manifolds unless the description of an embodiment or variant explicitly specifies the number of manifolds.

[0022] The elongated tubes are connected / joined in a fluidic and mechanical way to the manifold(s) although the passage(s) for the fluid between tube and manifold(s) are not shown in figures 1a-b.

[0023] The tubes are shown here perpendicular to the manifold(s). However, in other, unshown embodiments, the tubes may have different geometric orientations relative to the manifold(s), as will be seen later. For example, they may have an inclination other than 90° to the manifold(s) when viewed from the front or plan view of the radiator (the longitudinal axis of the tubes is no longer perpendicular but oblique to that of the manifold(s)). The tubes may also have (or instead of the aforementioned inclination) an orientation different from that shown in Figures 1a-b, namely that the cross-section of the tubes is not contained in the plane of these figures but is oriented relative to this plane, and the longitudinal axis of the tubes remains perpendicular to that of the manifold(s).

[0024] Furthermore, when the radiator has two manifolds, they can be positioned in different ways relative to the tubes. In particular, in the following description, when a figure is described as having one end of a tube located near or within a manifold, the other manifold can be positioned anywhere, i.e., next to the first manifold, near or within the second manifold.

[0025] As shown schematically and partially in Figures 1a-b, tubes of different shapes are partially fitted or embedded inside a collector 10 over part of their cross-section and, in a way not shown in these figures perpendicular to the plane of these figures, over a portion of their length.

[0026] The fitted part of tubes 12 (flattened oval section), 14 (square or diamond section), 16 (circular section), 18 (oval section), 20 (rectangular section), 22 (triangular section) is identified by the letter a, while the non-fitted or protruding part (outside the collector) is identified by the letter b.

[0027] More specifically, the cross-section of the tubes is defined, on the one hand, by a dimension (a+b) called height Ht which is taken in a direction perpendicular to the length of the collector (this direction is also perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the tubes) and, on the other hand, by a dimension c called width and which is parallel to the length of the collector.

[0028] The term "height" has been used to refer to a dimension of the tubes (the dimension which corresponds to the height or depth of embedding) because the tubes are arranged above the manifold in figures 1a-b but this does not mean that this vertical arrangement is retained when the radiator is installed in situ in service position, especially against a vertical wall.

[0029] The distance or depth of insertion or penetration a is defined by the following formula 0.05Ht ≤ a ≤ Ht which guarantees a larger contact and connection area between tube and collector(s) than in the prior art.

[0030] In the configuration where a = 0.05Ht, the tube is inserted only 5% of the way into the collector(s), whereas with a = Ht the tube is fully inserted into the collector(s) while remaining flush with the external surface (here, the upper surface) of the collector(s). The latter configuration is only possible if the height of the collector(s) Hc is greater than or equal to 1.2 Ht (Figs. 1a-b).

[0031] In one particular embodiment, the insertion depth (a) is greater than or equal to 0.55Ht. This dimensional condition ensures the mechanical locking of the tube within the manifold and thus mechanical locking of the tube-manifold assembly (axial withdrawal of the tube from the manifold in a direction parallel to the insertion depth (a) is prevented or, at the very least, made more difficult). Indeed, in such a configuration, the connection area between the manifold and the tube extends above the widest part of the tube (the part defined by the width (c) in Figs. 1a-b), which is located inside the manifold. In this configuration, the assembled manifold is easier to handle without risk of disassembling the tubes of the manifold(s) in a direction parallel to the insertion depth (perpendicular to the tubes and manifold(s)).This proves particularly useful when the radiator is being manufactured and the various parts (tubes and manifold(s)) are not yet permanently assembled. The parts may, for example, be mechanically joined but not yet fully assembled, perhaps because the welding or brazing operation has not yet taken place. It should be noted that, in this type of embodiment, the tubes are inserted into the manifold in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubes (the axis of the sliding joint between the tube and the manifold), whereas, when a is less than 0.55Ht, the tube-manifold insertion can be performed over the manifold, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1a-b, each tube 12 to 22 is inserted over a fraction of the length of the manifold(s) corresponding at most to the width c of the tube. Indeed, the penetration depth a may be such that the width c of the tube is always outside the manifold(s). Note that each tube is also inserted into a manifold over a portion of its length, as illustrated in the following figures, particularly Figure 2.

[0033] Figure 2 shows a top perspective view of a section of a radiator (the radiator is laid flat) comprising a plurality of parallel tubes 14, fitted into two parallel manifolds 30 and 32, spaced apart so that each is positioned near one of the two opposite ends of each tube. In this embodiment, the opposite ends of the tubes are free and extend longitudinally beyond the manifolds, but this is not mandatory, and these ends (or only the ends of some tubes) could be fixed to both manifolds or to only one of them (asymmetrical radiator configuration).

[0034] Each tube 14 fits into each collector in two distinct zones, each located far apart. Each tube is connected to a collector by a contact zone located near the end of the tube closest to the collector. A portion of the length of each tube (located near one of its ends) is thus inserted into each of the two collectors 30, 32. In this configuration, the distance or depth of insertion of the tubes 14 into the collectors is greater than or equal to 0.55Ht in order to ensure mechanical locking as explained above.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the area of ​​the manifold Zc that is in contact with the tube 14 for their connection extends above the width c of the tube located inside the manifold 30. The same applies here for each tube and each manifold. The upper edges of the Zc area thus form returns or mechanical elements for axial retention of the tubes, along the axis A of Figure 2.

[0036] It should be noted that the distance Dcc between the longitudinal central axes of the collectors 30 and 32 (center distance) is at least equal to the largest transverse dimension of the collectors taken perpendicular to the axis A. If this distance is equal to the largest transverse dimension of the collectors the two collectors are joined by their respective external surfaces.

[0037] The minimum longitudinal dimension of the Lt tubes must allow for the creation of a fluidic link between the collectors 30 and 32.

[0038] The distance Dtt between the longitudinal central axes of two consecutive tubes (center distance) arranged in the same plane is at least equal to the largest transverse dimension of the tubes, taken parallel to the direction or longitudinal axis of the collectors.

[0039] Although not shown in Figure 2, each tube is fluidically connected to each manifold by one or more internal openings located within the mechanical connection / joining zone Zc. The opening(s) have, for example, a total passage area offered to the fluid that is greater than the passage area offered to the fluid in a configuration where each tube is connected to each manifold without penetrating the manifold (prior art configuration).

[0040] One of the manifolds 30 or 32 carries the hot fluid and distributes it to the connected tubes 14. In one possible embodiment, one of the heating elements for heating the fluid is activated, on command, for example, via a control interface located outside the radiator. These elements are generally positioned in the lower part of the radiator (not shown here) along with the control interface when the manifolds are vertical. The other, distant manifold recovers the fluid that has cooled by heat exchange with the tube walls during its circulation between the two manifolds. The same principle applies when the manifolds are close together, even arranged side by side, or when there is only one manifold comprising an internal compartment for the hot fluid and, adjacent to it, a compartment for the cooled fluid.

[0041] In an alternative embodiment, there are no heating elements in the radiator and the fluid (e.g., water) enters a manifold already hot.

[0042] The 14 tubes are parallel to each other and, for example, grouped together (any number of tubes and groups of tubes can be used, and in an extreme case, the tubes form a single group). The number of tubes generally depends on the heating requirements of the radiator. Grouping the tubes creates spaces between the groups of tubes, particularly useful for easily positioning towels when the radiator is a towel warmer, as in the example shown in Figure 2.

[0043] The fluid used is, for example, water, but other fluids such as oil can be used alternatively.

[0044] In Figure 2, the tubes are shown perpendicular to the manifolds. However, in other, unshown embodiments, the tubes may have different geometric orientations, for example, an inclination other than 90° to the manifolds. The tubes may also be arranged in a plane that is not parallel to the plane in which the manifolds are located (e.g., obliquely to this plane; the tubes may not all have the same orientation), and may or may not be perpendicular to the manifolds. Furthermore, groups of tubes may have different orientations from one group to another.

[0045] In the radiator representations illustrated in the various attached figures, the tubes are arranged on the same side of the manifold(s) relative to the external surface of the manifold(s).

[0046] However, in other configurations, tubes can be arranged on either side of the manifold(s), on two diametrically opposite sides of the manifold(s), or even alternately on one side and the other with an axial offset along the manifold(s).

[0047] Figure 1c illustrates such a configuration in which tubes 14 are arranged on either side of a collector 10, respectively on two opposing surfaces Sa and Sb of the collector. The center-to-center distance Dtt between the two central longitudinal axes of two consecutive or adjacent tubes (Dtta for tubes located on surface Sa and Dttb for tubes located on surface Sb) can be less than the width c or largest transverse dimension of the cross-section of the tubes when these tubes are not arranged in the same plane, one being nested in the collector to a greater depth than the other.In the configuration shown, the tubes are arranged one below the other vertically. However, in an alternative configuration not shown, the tubes embedded in surface Sb can be offset to the right or left of the vertical, thus presenting an axial offset along the manifold relative to the tubes embedded in surface Sa. It should be noted that Figure 1c applies to all types of tubes and all types of manifolds, regardless of their number, shape, and position / orientation relative to each other.

[0048] The preceding description of the radiator section arrangement in Figure 2 applies to any other embodiment where the tubes and / or manifolds have a different cross-section, or even a different geometric orientation. The tubes may also not all have the same insertion depth into the manifolds. The manifolds may have various cross-sectional shapes such as square, diamond-shaped, circular, rectangular, triangular, oval, etc.

[0049] The following Figures 3a-d, 4a-c and 5a-e illustrate different possible configurations of tube and radiator manifold assembly with various shapes.

[0050] The above remarks concerning the geometric orientation of the tubes relative to each other (parallelism, tube grouping, etc.) and to the manifold(s), as well as the insertion depth, also apply here. Similarly, the manifolds can be arranged differently relative to each other, and alternatively, a single manifold is possible.

[0051] Figure 3a illustrates different insertion positions (depths) of the tubes 14 from Figure 2 in the manifold 30: P1 fully inserted position, P2 inserted position with a=0.6Ht, and P3 inserted position with a=0.05Ht (not locked). In positions P1 and P2, the tubes are mechanically locked inside the manifold as explained above. The insertion is identical, for example, with the other manifold if the radiator has two manifolds. Note that other intermediate insertion positions are of course possible, and the same applies to all the figures described below. Similarly, the tubes do not necessarily all have the same insertion position, and the same applies to all the figures described below.

[0052] Figure 3b illustrates different insertion positions (depths) of the tubes 16 from Figure 1a in a manifold 34 with a circular cross-section. The same insertion positions or depths P1, P2, and P3 as in Figure 3a are shown for the tubes 16. The insertion can, for example, be identical with the other manifold if the radiator has two manifolds.

[0053] Figure 3c illustrates different insertion positions (depths) of the tubes 16 of Figure 1a in the manifold 30, which has a square or diamond-shaped cross-section. The same insertion positions or depths P1, P2, and P3 as in Figures 3a-b are shown for the tubes 16. The insertion can, for example, be identical with the other manifold if the radiator has two manifolds.

[0054] Figure 3d illustrates different insertion positions (depths) of the tubes 14 of Figure 1a in the manifold 34 with circular cross-section. The same insertion positions or depths P1, P2, and P3 as in Figures 3a-c are shown for the tubes 14. The insertion can, for example, be identical with the other manifold if the radiator has two manifolds.

[0055] Figures 4a, 4b and 4c illustrate different positions (depths) of tube insertion in a manifold such as those P1, P2 and P3 referred to above: for the oval cross-section tubes 18 of figure 1a in the collector 30 (fig. 4a); for the oval cross-section tubes 18 of figure 1a in the collector 34 (fig. 4b); for the triangular cross-section tubes 22 (base of the triangle inside the collector) of figure 1b in the collector 34 (fig. 4c).

[0056] Figures 5a and 5b illustrate different positions (depths) of tube insertion in a manifold such as those P1, P2 and P3 referred to above: for the tubes 12 of flattened oval cross-section of figure 1a in a collector 36 of square cross-section with an orientation offset by 45° with respect to collectors 30 and 32 (fig. 5a); for the tubes 12 of figure 1a in the collector 34 (fig. 5b).

[0057] Figure 5c illustrates the insertion of several tubes of different cross-sections 14, 16, and 12 into a rectangular manifold 38, each with a locking insertion position. Reference numerals P1, 2, and 3 in Figure 5c, as well as in the following figures, represent any insertion position of a tube into a manifold, including the extreme positions as well as any intermediate position. Unlike the other figures where the tube ends are free and protrude beyond the manifold after the tube-manifold contact zone, here the tube ends are inserted / embedded into the manifold by a face or edge 38a (and not a portion of their length located upstream of the free end) and open into the manifold.Alternatively, one end of a tube can be fitted into a manifold and the opposite end of that tube can be located beyond the other manifold when the radiator has two manifolds.

[0058] Figure 5d shows, from a view opposite to that of figure 5c, tubes 16, 14 and 12 in a less deep interlocking position.

[0059] Figure 5e shows a cross-section of the manifold 38, illustrating the tube-manifold assembly with a tube of any cross-section, for example, type 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, or 22 from Figures 1a-b. This assembly demonstrates the presence of an internal opening O for the fluid connection between the tube and the manifold. The same type of internal opening can be created with other tube-manifold assembly configurations. However, the shape and / or position of the opening may vary.

[0060] Furthermore, this arrangement shows that the length I of the embedded end of the tube must at least allow the internal opening O to be housed inside the collector.

[0061] The tube-collector connection shown in figures 4a to 5e may, for example, be identical with the other collector if the radiator has two collectors or, on the contrary, the length I may be different between the two collectors or one end of the tube may open outside of a collector (these last two configurations are not symmetrical).

[0062] Figure 6 illustrates a radiator configuration in which a tube such as tube 16 in Figures 1a-b (however, any other tube can be used) partially enters two adjacent manifolds 34 (manifold carrying a hot fluid), 35 (manifold carrying a fluid cooled after passing through tube 16), here of circular cross-section (other manifold cross-sections are conceivable).

[0063] The tube 16 has two opposite ends 16a, 16b and includes, between the two, two tube portions (depending on its length) 16c, 16d which each fit inside one of the two collectors 34, 35. This configuration shows the presence of enlarged internal openings O1, O2 for the inlet and outlet of fluid for the fluidic connection between tube and collectors.

[0064] The penetration depth of the tube into the collectors can vary within the limits set out above.

[0065] The radiator obviously includes other tubes not shown here.

[0066] The description of figures 7 to 9h relates to the geometric orientation of the tubes with respect to a collector in a radiator according to the invention.

[0067] Figure 7 shows a tube (radiant element) t of arbitrary cross-section, represented here as a polygon (it could, however, be a shape that is not a polygon and therefore does not have several faces, particularly beveled faces, but a single face such as an oblong, elliptical shape, etc.). The tube is partially embedded in a collector 10 (it could be more deeply embedded, particularly to obtain mechanical locking of the tube in the collector, or even completely embedded), and different angular positions or geometric orientations (a), (b), and (c) of the tube relative to the collector are illustrated in a plane P containing the cross-sections of the tubes and the longitudinal section of the collector.

[0068] We define: Two points A and B located at the two ends of the longest edge of the polygon; an axis A1, which is the axis passing through the external surface of the collector adjacent to the tube (e.g., the upper surface in Figure 7); an axis A2, which is the axis passing through the centroid g of the polygon and parallel to axis A1; a Z-axis passing through the centroid g of the polygon and perpendicular to axes A1 and A2; an angle α, which is the angle formed between the Z-axis and segment [gA], such that when this angle is equal to zero, segment [gA] is parallel to the Z-axis. Segment [gA] is an extension of an external face of the tube, as are the other segments of the polygon.It is thus understood that the different angular orientations that the segment [gA] can take with respect to the adjacent external surface of the collector (axis A1) correspond to different angular orientations of the corresponding external face of the tube, and therefore of the other external faces of said tube.

[0069] When the shape of any cross-section (not necessarily polygonal) has only one face (and not several as in the case of a polygon) the maximum angle α is equal to 360°.

[0070] For simpler cross-sectional shapes such as a square, the different possible angular positions obtained by rotation through an angle between 0 and 90 degrees.

[0071] In the continuation of the exposition relating to figure 7, we consider that the shape of any cross-section has at least two faces which both have edges or segments of equal length.

[0072] If the faces have edges or segments of unequal lengths, the maximum angle is assumed to be 360°.

[0073] If the shape of any cross-section has only two faces, then the maximum angle is equal to 180°.

[0074] If f is the function of the number of faces of the shape of the cross section with a minimum number of three faces, then the maximum value of the angle α is given by the following formula: amax = 360 / f.

[0075] If f is equal to three, then amax = 120°.

[0076] Position (a) in Figure 7 corresponds to α = 0, position (b) corresponds to a positive non-zero angle α (the shape of the tube's cross-section has changed its angular orientation relative to position (a) by rotation around its center of gravity), and position (c) corresponds to a maximum angle. The tube can assume any angular orientation (geometric orientation) around its central longitudinal axis between positions (a) and (c). Beyond position (c), the other positions are identical to those obtained between positions (a) and (c).

[0077] As mentioned earlier, the tube can adopt any geometry, including one of those identified in the previously described figures. The same applies to the geometry of the manifold(s) of this radiator.

[0078] Considering a radiator comprising at least one manifold and several tubes, in a given configuration of this radiator: The angle α can be the same for all tubes; the angle α can be different for all tubes; the angle α can be the same for a given group of tubes and different for another group of tubes...

[0079] Figures 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, and 8e illustrate, for tubes of different cross-sections nested within a manifold 10, various angular positions or (geometric) orientations obtained according to the explanations provided with reference to Figure 7, with a different angle α, larger or smaller, and a different tube-manifold nesting position and / or depth. The plane P illustrated in Figure 8a is a plane containing cross-sections of the tubes and a longitudinal section of the manifold (here the manifold is horizontal, but it could, for example, be positioned vertically) and in which the changes in geometric orientation / angular position of the tubes relative to the manifold take place. In each figure, several angular positions of a tube are illustrated by considering the angle α formed between a dashed axis passing through the center of gravity of the tube (the axis is contained in the plane) and the adjacent external surface (hereupper and horizontal) of the manifold (the reasoning is the same with a vertical manifold). This axis is generally contained within one or more of the symmetry planes of the tube when such a symmetry plane exists (such a symmetry plane generally extends perpendicularly to the plane containing the longitudinal section of the manifold and the cross-sections of the tubes). Furthermore, in addition to the different geometric orientations, the tubes penetrate more or less deeply into the manifold 10, allowing or preventing mechanical locking of the tubes within the manifold depending on the depth of penetration. Tubes 14, 12, 18, 20, and 22, described with reference to the preceding figures, are illustrated in Figures 8a-e. The different possible angular orientations of a tube cross-section are obtained by rotating it by a chosen angle (for example, between 0 and 90°, between 0 and 180°, or between 0 and 360°, depending on the shapes of thecross sections considered) the cross section of the tube around its longitudinal axis in the aforementioned plane of figures 8a-e (the longitudinal axis is the axis of extension of the tubes in a direction perpendicular to the aforementioned plane) from a reference position or neutral position and which generally corresponds to the position in which a geometric shape is represented in a plane: for example, a square is represented with two of its opposite sides horizontal and the other two adjacent sides in a vertical position; a rectangle is represented with its two long opposite sides horizontal and its two short adjacent sides in a vertical position; an oblong or elliptical shape is represented with the long length arranged horizontally and a triangle is generally represented with its base arranged horizontally.

[0080] Figure 8f schematically represents a first possible type of change in geometric orientation / angular position of tubes relative to a collector as illustrated in Figures 8a-e described above.

[0081] In particular, Figure 8f represents a front (or flat) view of the tube-manifold assembly of a radiator according to an embodiment of the invention which represents, in projection in a plane P', the tubes t1 in their length connected to a manifold 10. The plane P' is perpendicular to the plane P. During this type of change of geometric orientation the longitudinal axis a1 of the tubes (this axis passes through the center of gravity of the tubes) remains perpendicular to the axis of the manifold 10 and it is the cross-section of the tubes which pivots around the axis a1 as illustrated in Figures 7 to 8e.

[0082] Figure 9a schematically illustrates a second possible type of change in the geometric orientation / angular position of tubes relative to a manifold. More specifically, this change in orientation results in a pivoting of the longitudinal axis a2 of the tubes t2 in the plane P' relative to the axis a1 of Figure 8f. The tubes are thus oriented obliquely with respect to the manifold. Note that such a change in geometric orientation / angular position can be combined with that of Figure 8f.

[0083] Furthermore, in a radiator according to one embodiment the tubes may not all have the same geometric orientation (angular orientation) of figure 8f and / or figure 9a.

[0084] Figures 9b-g show different possible tube shapes (partially represented along their length), with each shape showing a position in which the tube axis is perpendicular to the collector axis and a position in which the tube axis has rotated relative to its previous position. In this latter position, the tube axis can form an angle X with the longitudinal axis of the collector (or with the adjacent outer surface of the collector) such that 0 < X ​​< 180°. The position in which the tube axis is perpendicular to the collector axis corresponds to an angle of 90°.

[0085] Figures 9b-c, 9d-e, 9f-g illustrate these two positions respectively for tubes 16, 14 and 12.

[0086] Figure 9h shows, using an example of a square-section tube 14 and a square-section collector 30, a change in geometric orientation or angular position that occurs perpendicular to the plane P' of Figure 9a (here too, the tubes are oriented obliquely with respect to the collector). Simultaneously, the geometric orientation or spatial position of the tube can be modified within this plane as shown in Figure 8f and / or 9a.

[0087] It should be noted that the preceding description, concerning the change in geometric orientation or spatial position of the tubes relative to a manifold in a radiator according to the invention, applies to any shape of tubes and manifold(s), regardless of their number (the aforementioned change may apply only to some tubes and / or not be the same for all tubes), their possible grouping, and the degree or depth of the tubes' insertion into the manifold(s). The insertion may not be identical for all the tubes in a radiator, and / or the geometric orientation may not be identical for all the tubes in a radiator, and / or the tubes may not necessarily all have the same shape within the same radiator, and / or the ends of the tubes may not necessarily have the same arrangement relative to the two manifolds when the radiator has two manifolds.

[0088] Figure 10a shows a perspective view of a towel radiator R1 according to an embodiment of the invention comprising two manifolds C11 and C12 arranged side by side, vertically in the figure, and in which a plurality of tubes 16 are partially inserted (other tube shapes are of course possible). The tubes are grouped here, for example, in sets of four (a different number of tubes can of course be used), and several groupings G (here five) are thus spaced vertically along the manifolds. However, grouping the tubes is not mandatory.

[0089] More specifically, manifolds C11 and C12 have a circular cross-section like manifold 34 in Figures 3b, 3d, 4b, and 4c, but can alternatively adopt other shapes. Alternatively, a single manifold can replace both manifolds.

[0090] Figure 10b shows a perspective view of the upper part of a towel radiator R2 according to an embodiment of the invention comprising two manifolds C21 and C22, positioned vertically in the figure, and in which a plurality of tubes 16 are partially inserted (other tube shapes are of course possible). More particularly, the manifolds C21 and C22 are each located near one of the two opposite ends of each of the tubes.

[0091] The tubes can also be grouped as in the manner of figure 10a (here the tubes are grouped in fives) although this is not mandatory.

[0092] In particular, collectors C21 and C22 have a circular cross-section like collector 34 in figures 3b, 3d, 4b and 4c but can alternatively adopt other shapes.

[0093] Figure 10c shows a perspective view of the upper part of a towel radiator R3 according to an embodiment of the invention comprising two manifolds C31 and C32, spaced apart and positioned vertically in both Figure 10c and Figure 10b, and in which a plurality of tubes 14 are partially inserted (other tube shapes are of course possible). More specifically, manifolds C31 and C32 have a square cross-section like manifold 36 in Figure 5a, but can alternatively adopt other shapes.

[0094] Figure 10d shows a perspective view of the upper part of a towel radiator R4 according to an embodiment of the invention, which comprises two manifolds C41 and C42 arranged side by side, in a vertical position in the figure as in Figure 10a (but on the opposite side), and in which a plurality of tubes with a flattened cross-section 12 are partially inserted (other tube shapes are of course possible). More particularly, the manifolds C41 and C42 have a square cross-section like the manifold 36 in Figure 5a, but can alternatively adopt other shapes. Alternatively, a single manifold can be used.

[0095] The tubes can also be grouped as in the manner of figure 10a (here the tubes are grouped in threes) although this is not mandatory.

[0096] Figure 10e shows a perspective view of the upper part of a towel radiator R5 according to an embodiment of the invention, which comprises a single vertical manifold C5 into which a plurality of tubes with a flattened cross-section 12 are partially inserted (other tube shapes are of course possible). More particularly, the manifold has a rectangular cross-section like the manifold 38 of Figures 5c-d, but can alternatively adopt other shapes.

[0097] The tubes can also be grouped as in the manner of figure 10a (here the tubes are grouped in threes) although this is not mandatory.

[0098] Figure 10f shows a perspective view of the upper part of a towel radiator R6 according to an embodiment of the invention comprising two manifolds C61 and C62, spaced apart and positioned vertically in both Figure 10f and Figure 10b, and in which a plurality of tubes with a flattened cross-section 12 are partially inserted (other tube shapes are of course possible). More particularly, manifolds C61 and C62 have a circular cross-section like manifold 34 in Figures 3b-d, but can alternatively adopt other shapes.

[0099] The tubes can also be grouped as in the manner of figure 10a (here the tubes are grouped in threes) although this is not mandatory.

[0100] Figure 10g represents in perspective the upper part of a towel radiator R7 according to an embodiment of the invention which comprises two manifolds C71 and C72 arranged side by side, in a vertical position in the figure as in Figure 10a (but on the other side), and in which are partially fitted a plurality of tubes with a flattened cross-section (other shapes of tubes are of course conceivable).

[0101] Here, the tubes 12 are connected and fitted into the collectors C71 and C72. Elements I1 and I2 serve to stiffen the free ends of the tubes and can take the form of a single connecting element, for example a metal rod.

[0102] More specifically, manifolds C71 and C72 have a circular cross-section like manifold 34 in Figures 3b-d, but can alternatively adopt other shapes. Alternatively, a single manifold can be used.

[0103] The tubes can also be grouped as in the manner of figure 10a (here the tubes are grouped in threes) although this is not mandatory.

[0104] Figure 10h illustrates an alternative embodiment of the radiator shown in Figure 10d. The R8 radiator comprises manifolds C81 and C82 with a circular cross-section, rather than the square or rectangular cross-section shown in Figure 10d. Apart from this difference, all other aspects are identical.

[0105] Figure 10i shows a perspective view of the upper part of a towel radiator R9 according to an embodiment of the invention, which comprises a single vertical manifold C9 in the figure, into which a plurality of tubes 16 are partially inserted (other tube shapes are of course possible). The tubes are grouped here, for example, in sets of nine (a different number of tubes can of course be used). However, grouping the tubes is not mandatory.

[0106] In particular, the collector C9 has a rectangular cross-section like the collector 38 in figures 5c-d but can alternatively adopt other shapes.

[0107] Here the ends 16a of the tubes which are those located closest to the manifold in relation to the opposite ends 16b (the ends 16b are separated from the ends 16a by the length of the tubes) partially penetrate the manifold C9 and are fixed to it, contrary to the embodiment of figure 10j in which the ends 16a of the radiator R10 open beyond the manifold C10 and constitute free ends.

[0108] Figure 10k illustrates another embodiment of an R11 towel radiator, positioned, for example, vertically, comprising two manifolds C111 and C112 side by side and a plurality of tubes partially inserted into the manifolds. Here, the tubes are positioned asymmetrically with respect to the manifolds. The tubes are arranged in groups. One group is positioned relative to the manifolds so that the longest tube protrudes on one side, while the group immediately below it is positioned relative to the manifolds so that the longest tube protrudes on the opposite side. Thus, as shown, the groups are arranged in a staggered or alternating pattern, and the manifolds are positioned approximately in the middle of the radiator.

[0109] Any other geometric arrangement of the collectors and tubes, grouped or not, can be considered, for example with an alternating positioning between two consecutive tubes.

[0110] The tubes are for example 14 square section tubes although other sections are possible.

[0111] The manifolds are, for example, square or rectangular in cross-section, like manifolds 30, 36, or 38 in the previous figures, although other cross-sections are possible. A single manifold can alternatively be used.

[0112] In general, compared to the description in Figures 10a to 10k, the collectors are shown in a vertical position and the tubes in a horizontal position, but other spatial orientations are possible and, for example, the collectors can be arranged horizontally and the tubes or radiating elements vertically.

[0113] In one example of an embodiment, the tubes are partially inserted into two collectors in one of the possible configurations described above in order to form a mechanical assembly of the tubes and collectors (in this provisional assembly the tubes and collectors have their desired final functional position).

[0114] Figure 11a illustrates the assembly operation by fitting tubes 16 with two manifolds 34: the tubes 16 are inserted into a first manifold in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubes, into notches E1 that have been previously made (for example, by drilling, machining, etc.) in each of the manifolds 34. These notches are generally arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the manifolds, and their contour is adapted to the external shape of the tubes and the desired insertion depth. The tubes have also been drilled to create internal openings O3 (here oriented downwards) for the fluid connection between the tube and the manifold. The second manifold 34 is then brought in from the rear to fit into the opposite ends of the tubes 16, as illustrated in Figure 11a by the arrows.

[0115] The resulting assembly is temporary and must then be permanently fixed, for example by welding / brazing the tubes to the manifolds. Here, the insertion depth is such that the tubes are mechanically locked to the manifolds. In this configuration, a temporary (optional) welding operation is not necessary to ensure the mechanical strength of the assembled unit.

[0116] The temporary assembly is placed flat on a support which will then allow it to be easily handled for introduction into an oven.

[0117] A device D (e.g., a tube or injector) for depositing the paste necessary for the subsequent brazing operation is then used. This device allows for the deposition of several lead pads or a bead or segments of copper paste in sufficient quantity at appropriate locations within the connection zone between each tube and each manifold. This operation is performed around the entire outer perimeter of each tube-manifold connection zone.

[0118] The assembly formed from the tubes and the collectors is then introduced into a furnace via the support to carry out a brazing operation (known in itself) by melting the pads or cords or segments of copper Pb cord distributed on the external periphery of each tube-collector connection area in order to obtain a definitive bonding of the tubes to the collectors.

[0119] Other types of welding are possible (resistance welding, etc.) to achieve the final fixing of the assembly.

[0120] For configurations where the depth of insertion of the tubes into the manifolds is not sufficient to ensure mechanical locking (a is less than 0.55 Ht), temporary fixing of the tubes to the manifolds, for example by welding, is necessary.

[0121] Figure 11c illustrates various welding techniques, namely laser welding using a DI laser welding device (the head of which is shown), a Dt MIG or TIG welding device, and the D device described above, which, when used with a heat source, allows for brazing the deposited paste. These techniques allow for temporary welding, particularly the first two.

[0122] Figure 12 compares a conventional radiator configuration (to the left of the vertical line) with a radiator configuration according to the invention (to the right of the vertical line).

[0123] In the conventional configuration, the tube ta is welded to a collector Ca at the external contact areas of the two elements, on either side of an opening Oa which passes through these two elements.

[0124] The weld, indicated by reference S1, is for example performed using a resistance welding or spray welding technique. When the tube and the manifold are made of metallic material, a Faraday cage forms in the hard-to-reach area where the metallic bodies are very close to each other.

[0125] Here, the area where the tube approaches the manifold to join it and be welded to it (S1) is represented by the arrow marked F1 and forms a Faraday cage with respect to the two adjacent metal surfaces.

[0126] Therefore, when paint is applied to the radiator, for example by an electrostatic painting technique, the Faraday cage F1 prevents the charged powder from penetrating this area and thus protects the adjacent metal surfaces and the weld from corrosion.

[0127] In the configuration according to the invention (to the right of the vertical line in Figure 12), the tube t1 is fitted inside the manifold 10 and welded / brazed to it using any welding / brazing technique (resistance welding, spray welding, brazing, oxi-acetylene welding, laser welding, etc.). The area F2, where the metal surfaces of the tube and the manifold are close together and difficult to access, is significantly reduced compared to the area F1. The resulting Faraday cage F2 is smaller, which greatly reduces the unpainted area and therefore the risk of corrosion to the resulting radiator.

[0128] The t2 tube is, in turn, more deeply inserted inside the manifold, and the hard-to-reach area between the tube and the manifold, which led to the formation of a Faraday cage, has been eliminated. Only weld S3 is shown and is easily accessible for painting, thus eliminating the risk of corrosion associated with the presence of a Faraday cage.

[0129] The corrosion phenomena explained above thus decrease greatly when the tubes are fitted into the manifold(s) and disappear completely from a certain depth of fitting (generally when the depth of fitting exceeds half the height of the tube for most tube and manifold configurations).

[0130] It should be noted in Figure 12 that the internal opening(s) of tubes t1 and t2 could be enlarged (although this is not mandatory) due to the new geometry of connection between tube and manifold.

[0131] Everything that has just been said about figures 11a-c and 12 applies to any radiator configuration according to the invention as described above.

[0132] The above explanation helps to understand that, even when the radiators are not painted (for example, they are not made of metal), the geometry of the connection between tube and manifold of the prior art makes the F1 area difficult to access, especially for cleaning, which is much less the case, or not at all the case, with the geometry of the invention.

Claims

1. Radiator comprising at least one manifold (10) and a plurality of elongated radiant elements (12; 14; 16; 18; 20; 22) which are each mechanically and fluidically connected to said at least one manifold, each radiant element extending over a length, having a cross-section defined by a height Ht and a width and comprising a portion of its length which fits inside said at least one manifold over at least a part a of the height Ht, with 0.05Ht ≤ a ≤ Ht.

2. Radiator according to claim 1, characterized in that each radiant element (12;14;16;18;20;22) is fitted inside said at least one collector over at least a part a of the height Ht, with 0.55Ht ≤ a ≤ Ht so as to mechanically lock the radiant element inside said at least one collector.

3. Radiator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each radiant element is fitted inside said at least one collector over its entire height Ht when the height of said at least one collector is greater than or equal to 1.2Ht.

4. Radiator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one collector(10) has a generally elongated shape and the radiating elements (12;14;16;18;20;22) each fit together over a fraction of the length of said at least one collector.

5. Radiator according to claim 4, characterized in that said at least one collector (10) has a height perpendicular to its length and the radiating elements (12;14;16;18;20;22) each penetrate a part of the height of said at least one collector.

6. Radiator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each radiant element (12;14;16;18;20;22) is fluidly connected to said at least one collector by one or more openings.

7. Radiator according to claim 6, characterized in that the opening(s) (O1, O2) have a total passage area offered to the fluid which is greater than the passage area offered to the fluid in a configuration where the radiant element is connected to said at least one manifold without penetrating the interior of the latter.

8. Radiator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radiating elements (12;14;16;18;20;22) are mechanically connected to said at least one collector by brazing or welding.

9. Radiator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross-section of the radiating elements (12;14;16;18;20;22) is chosen in particular from one of the following shapes: circular, square, rectangular, triangular, oval, semi-oval, flattened oval, rhombus.

10. Radiator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one manifold (30; 34; 36; 38) has a cross-section having a shape chosen in particular from one of the following shapes: circular, square, rectangular, triangular, oval.

11. Radiator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radiating elements are arranged in parallel or non-parallel to each other.

12. Radiator according to claim 11, characterized in that the radiant elements are arranged perpendicularly or obliquely with respect to said at least one collector.

13. Radiator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in a plane containing a longitudinal section of said at least one collector and a cross-section of the radiating elements, the cross-section of each of the radiating elements is able to adopt any angular orientation around a longitudinal axis of the radiating element, said radiating elements having cross-sections of non-circular shapes.

14. Radiator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that radiant elements are connected to said at least one manifold on either side thereof.

15. Radiator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one manifold is selected from one of the following configurations: a single manifold, two parallel manifolds side by side, two parallel manifolds spaced such that the elongated radiant elements fit into the two manifolds with at least one of the two opposite ends of said radiant elements being located outside or inside a manifold.

16. Radiator element comprising at least one manifold (10) and at least one elongated radiant element (12;14;16;18;20;22) which is mechanically and fluidically connected to said at least one manifold, said at least one radiant element extending over a length, having a cross-section defined by a height Ht and a width and comprising at least a portion of its length which fits inside said at least one manifold over at least a part a of the height Ht, with 0.05Ht ≤ a ≤ Ht.