Modular Radiant Panel with Integrated Headers and Full Radiant Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiant panels face challenges such as complex and costly manufacturing processes due to milling, long installation times, non-radiant passive surfaces, thermal bridges, and limited flexibility in the front surface functions, which complicate installation and reduce effective radiant exchange areas.
Innovation Solution
A modular radiant panel with a sandwich-like structure featuring a thermally insulating rear layer and a mechanically strong, thermally conductive front layer, where radiant pipes and headers are housed within preformed grooves in the insulating layer, allowing for easy separation and connection, and a front layer that can be customized for various functions without milling, thus simplifying manufacturing and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If milling operation is performed on the plasterboard to form the coil-pipe-housing channel, then the panel structure is created, but plaster dust is generated and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical milling operation with a chemical dissolution process using water-soluble material (gypsum or salt) that can be easily removed by washing, eliminating dust generation and complex milling equipment requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual circuits are independently connected to headers on each panel side, then hydraulic flexibility is achieved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual circuit connections into a single integrated header connection system, where one header connection provides access to multiple circuits, reducing the number of connection points and installation time while maintaining hydraulic flexibility
3Ease of operation
If headers are arranged on the sides of each panel pair, then hydraulic connections are established, but the header area becomes a non-radiant passive surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the headers from the lateral sides of the panel to the rear face, utilizing the previously unused rear surface area for connection purposes, thereby preserving the entire front radiant surface while enabling hydraulic connections
4Strength
If fastening profiles are connected directly to the plasterboard layer, then structural support is achieved, but thermal bridges are created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate thermal insulation layer between the fastening profiles and the plasterboard, which maintains structural support while blocking thermal bridge formation and reducing energy loss
5Ease of manufacture
If the front layer is limited to plasterboard with basic functions, then manufacturing is simplified, but architectural versatility and additional functions are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the panel front layer as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple functions and materials (plasterboard, wood, metal, glass, ceramic) while maintaining the same manufacturing process, enabling architectural versatility without increasing manufacturing complexity
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 solution simplifies manufacturing by eliminating dust and milling, reduces installation time, removes thermal bridges, and allows for flexible front surface functions, enhancing both thermal performance and architectural integration while maintaining modular flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a rear, thermally insulating layer
Implementation Method 2
a front layer with mechanical strength and good thermal conductivity
Implementation Method 3
radiant panel for the conditioning of inner spaces
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
Modular, prefabricated radiant panel, of the type having a sandwich-like structure comprising a thermally insulating rear layer (1), a front layer acting as mechanical support and outer surface finish, and two radiant pipes (4) integrated in the panel for the flow of a heat-carrying fluid. The radiant pipes (4) are housed in preformed grooves (2) in said thermally insulating rear layer. In the same layer there are further provided two parallel, longitudinal grooves (3) for the housing of a pair of headers (5) which supply said radiant pipes (4). The headers (5) housed in said grooves (3) cross the entire panel and end in correspondence of the opposite short sides thereof, where they are connected to said radiant pipes (4) by means of T-junctions (6), a free mouth of which faces outwards for connection by means of sleeves (7) to T-junctions (6) of other panels, both directly and through connection pipes.