Convector Panel Channel Layout for Low-Material Radiator Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional sheet metal convector panels for radiators require a minimum channel height for effective operation, leading to high material consumption and cost, and using thinner metal compromises heat conduction.
Innovation Solution
A sheet metal convector panel design featuring alternating radial trapezoidal delimiting walls that create a checkerboard arrangement, allowing for turbulent air flow and efficient convective exchange with reduced material usage, suitable for both vertical and horizontal orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional convector panels use sufficient channel height for effective operation, then convective heating performance is improved, but material consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional single-dimension vertical channel structure into a multi-dimensional alternating pattern with radial delimiting walls that extend in multiple directions. This creates a checkerboard arrangement where channels are defined by alternating first and second delimiting walls, effectively utilizing spatial dimensions to enhance convective exchange without increasing overall panel height or material consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The convector panel is segmented into multiple functional zones using alternating first and second delimiting walls that radially extend from the central axis. This segmentation creates numerous small convective channels arranged in a checkerboard pattern, increasing the surface area for heat exchange while maintaining compact dimensions and reducing material usage compared to traditional single-channel designs.
2Quantity of substance
If thinner sheet metal is used to reduce material consumption, then cost and weight are reduced, but heat conduction through the sheet metal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for reduced material thickness by enhancing the three-dimensional convective structure with alternating radial delimiting walls. This multi-dimensional approach increases the effective heat exchange surface area and promotes turbulent flow, thereby improving overall thermal performance despite using thinner sheet metal with lower intrinsic heat conduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the convective channels by introducing alternating first and second delimiting walls with specific radial extensions. This parameter optimization creates a checkerboard arrangement that enhances convective efficiency and turbulence, allowing thinner material to achieve comparable or superior thermal performance through improved flow dynamics rather than relying solely on material thickness.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional panel designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but convective exchange efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is divided into repeating modular units with alternating first and second delimiting walls arranged in a checkerboard pattern. This segmentation into standardized segments maintains manufacturing simplicity through repetition while significantly enhancing convective exchange efficiency through the multi-dimensional alternating wall configuration that promotes turbulent flow and increases heat transfer surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes geometric parameters by introducing alternating radial delimiting walls with specific extensions from the central axis, creating a checkerboard arrangement. These parameter changes enhance convective efficiency and turbulence without complicating the manufacturing process, as the alternating pattern can be achieved through standardized forming operations on sheet metal.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves thermal efficiency comparable to conventional panels while minimizing material consumption, with enhanced convective exchange due to turbulence, and allows for flexible installation orientations.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second delimiting walls of the channels create an obstacle course for the ascending flow of air, which determines greater turbulence and ultimately a benefit in terms of convective exchange efficiency
Implementation Method 2
along which an ascending laminar flow of air is created due to a stack effect
Implementation Method 3
below a certain thickness heat conduction through the thickness of the sheet metal is greatly penalized
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A sheet metal convector panel (1) for a radiator for heating a room, which comprises a plurality of parallel longitudinal channels (2) laterally separated from each other by longitudinal separating walls (3), each channel (2) comprising, in the longitudinal direction of extension thereof, an alternating succession of first delimiting walls (4), which extend from one side of the separating walls (3), and second delimiting walls (5), which extend from the opposite side of the separating walls (3).