Radiant Panel Channel Geometry for Tubing Retention and Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular radiant heating systems face challenges in retaining polymer tubing within channels due to its memory property, which causes the tubing to resist bending and twisting, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs, especially at curved portions where the interference fit is compromised, necessitating additional mechanical fastenings or adhesives.
Innovation Solution
The use of a 'U' shaped channel profile without restrictions at the top, allowing for varying channel widths and depths to maintain consistent friction force across straight and curved sections, ensuring proper retention and maximizing contact area for efficient heat transfer, thereby reducing labor and material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a uniform channel width is used throughout the panel, then the channel can be easily manufactured, but the tubing is not well retained at curved portions where interference fit is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the channel width according to the specific geometric requirements of different sections. Straight channel sections have one width dimension while curved channel sections have adjusted width dimensions optimized for their respective geometries. This allows each local region to have the precise dimensions needed for optimal tubing retention and heat transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the channel width parameter based on the channel curvature and geometry. The control system adjusts the cutting parameters dynamically during manufacturing, narrowing channels in curved sections and maintaining wider channels in straight sections, thereby optimizing both retention and manufacturing efficiency.
2Reliability
If channel width is reduced to improve tubing retention, then interference fit is enhanced, but the manufacturing efficiency decreases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than uniformly reducing channel width across the entire panel, the patent applies local quality by selectively narrowing channels only in curved sections where tubing retention is problematic. Straight channel sections maintain their original, more easily manufactured width, thus preserving manufacturing efficiency while improving retention only where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the channel width parameter during manufacturing based on the channel geometry being created. When the system detects curved channel sections, it automatically reduces the width parameter to enhance interference fit. For straight sections, the width parameter remains larger, maintaining manufacturing efficiency and reducing overall production time.
3Reliability
If mechanical fastenings or adhesives are used to retain tubing, then tubing retention is improved, but labor and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing channels with geometries that automatically provide optimal interference fit and tubing retention through their shape alone. The varied width dimensions create natural retention zones that hold tubing securely without requiring external fastenings or adhesives. The channel geometry itself performs the retention function, eliminating the need for additional retention mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the retention function from external components (fastenings, adhesives) and integrates it directly into the channel geometry itself. By incorporating retention features into the fundamental channel structure through varied width dimensions, the system eliminates the need for separate retention components, thereby reducing device complexity and installation 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
This solution enhances the retention of tubing in radiant heating panels, ensuring consistent friction force and improved heat transfer efficiency, while minimizing manufacturing costs and installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
It is in the nature of PEX, and other polymer tubing typically used, that there is memory in the tubing. Memory is the property of polymers that causes them to tend to return to their original molded shape after being deflected to from that shape. Memory causes the tubing when deflected to act like a spring.
Implementation Method 2
The means for retaining the tubing in channels in some systems is a mechanical feature that causes a narrowing and therefore a restriction at the top of the channel causing the tubing once pressed past the restriction, to be restrained from returning back pass the restriction and out of the channel.
Data Source
AI summary
A radiant panel having a U-shaped channel or groove with substantially parallel vertical sides. Because varied diameter tubing pressed into curved channels of varying radius will change their shape from round to oval by different amounts, channel width will be reduced at curved channel areas as appropriate, based on tubing size and channel radius. This reduction in curved channel width compared to straight channel width allows for a consistent friction force to be developed upon pressing the tubing into a channel. The depth of groove may be varied to allow for the increased vertical dimension of tubing which is deformed from round to oval by bending forces, so that tubing can be installed consistently flush with the surface of the radiant panel. Varying width and depth will also tend to maximize the contact area of tube to conductive surface, thereby improving the flow of heat from tube to radiant panel.