Wall-mounted radiant cooling device

Abstract

In the field of building and of cooling systems there is disclosed a wall-mounted radiant cooling device for rooms, including: at least two cooling tubes positioned on two different levels adapted for cooled water to flow through; a fixing unit of the cooling tubes to the outside of the walls of the rooms. Each cooling tube includes two shaped longitudinal fins, and the radiant cooling device further includes a channel, arranged parallel to and underneath the cooling tubes, adapted to collect the condensate that is generated through contact with the hot air present in the rooms provided with the cooling tubes. The longitudinal fins of the cooling tubes are adapted to cooperate with one another to convey the condensate into the channel.

Claims

1. A wall-mounted radiant cooling device (1), comprising: at least two cooling tubes (2) positioned on two different levels, said at least two cooling tubes (2) adapted for cooled water to flow through, each of said at least two cooling tubes (2) comprising a first fin (2′) and a second fin (2″), each of said first and second fins (2′, 2″) being curved in a radial direction away from each of said at least two cooling tubes (2), wherein the second fin (2″) of a first of the at least two cooling tubes (2) is located spaced apart from the first fin (2′) of a second of the at least two cooling tubes (2), and a condensate passage is formed by the second fin (2″) of a first of the at least two cooling tubes (2) being located spaced apart from the first fin (2′) of a second of the at least two cooling tubes (2); a fixing element (4, 5), wherein each of said at least two cooling tubes (2) are fixed to an outside of a wall (P) of a room by said fixing element; and a channel (3), arranged parallel to and underneath said at least two cooling tubes (2), said channel adapted to collect condensate that is generated through hot air present in said room contacting the at least two cooling tubes (2), wherein, said condensate passage is positioned over said channel (3) to convey the condensate into said channel (3), wherein said fixing element comprises a plurality of plates (4) for fixing to the wall (P) and a plurality of brackets (5) transverse with respect to said at least two cooling tubes (2), where said plates (4) and said brackets (5) cooperate by interlocking through shape coupling, wherein said brackets (5) comprise channel supports (7), wherein said channel supports (7) comprise elastically deformable U-shaped profiles (7), the elastically deformable U-shaped profiles (7) adapted to be hung on a lower portion of said brackets (5), wherein said wherein said channel supports (7) comprise means for adjusting a height of said channel (3) including: at least a pair of tabs (8) projecting from said U-shaped profiles (7), and a plurality of corresponding pairs of grooves (9) obtained on said brackets (5), adapted to selectively retain said tabs (8).

2. The wall-mounted radiant cooling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first fin (2′) and the second fin (2″) of said at least two cooling tubes (2) are continuous and respectively extend longitudinally along each of said at least two cooling tubes (2) and protrude in the radial direction away from diametrically opposite sides of said at least two cooling tubes (2).

3. The wall-mounted radiant cooling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said at least two cooling tubes comprise four cooling tubes, arranged staggered from one another on several levels, each of said four cooling tubes (2) being oriented so that the condensate drains in a cascade between said first and second fins from an upper level to a lower level and then into said channel (3).

4. The wall-mounted radiant cooling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said brackets (5) comprise shaped openings (6) adapted to house said at least two cooling tubes (2) to support said at least two cooling tubes (2) at different levels and space said at least two cooling tubes (2) from one another.

5. The wall-mounted radiant cooling device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a front casing (10) for covering said cooling tubes (2).

6. A wall-mounted radiant cooling device (1), comprising: at least two cooling tubes (2) positioned on two different levels, said at least two cooling tubes (2) adapted for cooled water to flow through, each of said at least two cooling tubes (2) comprising a first fin (2′) and a second fin (2″), each of said first and second fins (2′, 2″) being curved in a radial direction away from each of said at least two cooling tubes (2), wherein the second fin (2″) of a first of the at least two cooling tubes (2) is located spaced apart from the first fin (2′) of a second of the at least two cooling tubes (2), and a condensate passage is formed by the second fin (2″) of a first of the at least two cooling tubes (2) being located spaced apart from the first fin (2′) of a second of the at least two cooling tubes (2); a fixing element (4, 5), wherein each of said at least two cooling tubes (2) are fixed to an outside of a wall (P) of a room by said fixing element; and a channel (3), arranged parallel to and underneath said at least two cooling tubes (2), said channel adapted to collect condensate that is generated through hot air present in said room contacting the at least two cooling tubes (2), wherein, said channel supports (7) comprise elastically deformable U-shaped profiles (7), said condensate passage is positioned over said channel (3) to convey the condensate into said channel (3), wherein said fixing element comprises a plurality of plates (4) for fixing to the wall (P) and a plurality of brackets (5) transverse with respect to said at least two cooling tubes (2), where said plates (4) and said brackets (5) cooperate by interlocking through shape coupling, wherein said brackets (5) comprise channel supports (7), wherein said channel supports (7) comprise means for adjusting a height of said channel (3), so as to be able to give said channel (3) a predetermined slope and facilitate disposal of the condensate collected, wherein said means for adjusting the height of said channel (3) comprise: at least a pair of tabs (8) projecting from said U-shaped profiles (7), and a plurality of corresponding pairs of grooves (9) obtained on said brackets (5), adapted to selectively retain said tabs (8).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other advantages will be more apparent below in the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, provided by way of non-limiting example, and with the aid of the figures, where:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates, in a partially exploded axonometric section, a wall-mounted radiant cooling device produced according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates, in a cross section along a vertical plane, the radiant cooling device of FIG. 1;

(4) FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate, respectively in an axonometric view and in a section along a vertical plane, a component of the device according to the invention;

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates, in an axonometric view, the device of FIG. 2, partially exploded;

(6) FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate, respectively in a plan view and in an axonometric view, a further component of the device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(7) With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a radiant cooling device 1, adapted to be fixed to walls P of rooms close to the ceiling.

(8) Said wall-mounted radiant cooling device 1 essentially comprises:

(9) cooling tubes 2 made of metal material, advantageously four in number, adapted for cooled water to pass through at a temperature variable between 5° and 16° C.;

(10) fixing means 4, 5 of said cooling tubes 2 to the wall P, so that said tubes 2 are substantially parallel to one another and projecting;

(11) a channel 3 arranged parallel to and underneath said tubes 2 and with a slight slope, adapted to collect the condensate that is generated through contact of the hot air with said cooling tubes;

(12) a front casing 10 for covering said cooling tubes 2.

(13) For an optimal cooling system 1, said fixing means are provided in the upper portion of the walls P and close to the ceiling of the rooms. It is clear that in very large rooms, with high ceilings, it is sufficient for the portion of cooled wall to be the portion substantially “at head height”: in this case the fixing means will be suitably positioned, for example at a maximum height of 3.2 meters.

(14) Two cooling tubes 2 are sufficient to produce a wall-mounted radiant cooling device 1 according to the invention, but four tubes 2 ensure maximum performance with the minimum thickness and footprint.

(15) Said cooling tubes 2 are made of aluminum, have a maximum length of 6 m and, where necessary, can be joined to one another with quick fittings of known type.

(16) With particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a cooling tube 2 provided with an original geometry is represented.

(17) Said cooling tube 2 comprises two continuous shaped longitudinal fins 2′, 2″ that protrude radially therefrom on diametrically opposite sides.

(18) Said longitudinal fins 2′, 2″ substantially belong to a same plane that ideally cuts the radiant tube symmetrically.

(19) The radial extension L of said longitudinal fins 2′, 2″ is equal to approximately the average diameter Φ of the corresponding tube from which they protrude.

(20) However, said fins 2′, 2″, in section, are not flat, but slightly curved. In particular, said longitudinal fins are each provided with an opposed double curvature, and said opposed double curvatures have a radius r2′, R2′, r2″, R2″ equal to approximately the average radius R of the corresponding cooling tube from which they protrude.

(21) Said longitudinal fins 2′, 2″ of each cooling tube 2 are adapted to cooperate with the respective longitudinal fins 2′, 2″ of adjacent tubes 2 positioned on another level to create an obligatory passage for the condensate that is generated on the walls of these tubes and convey said condensate toward the specific collection channel 3.

(22) With particular reference to FIGS. 4-7, the means for fixing said cooling tubes 2 and said collection channel 3 to the wall P are illustrated.

(23) Said fixing means can be attached to the wall P along the cooling tubes 2, at a distance of approximately one meter from one another.

(24) In particular, said fixing means comprise a plurality of brackets 5 transverse to said cooling tubes 2, and a plurality of plates 4 for fixing to the wall P.

(25) Said brackets 5 comprise shaped openings 6, adapted to house said cooling tubes 2 to support them and space them from one another.

(26) Said brackets 5 comprise supporting means of said channel 3.

(27) Said supporting means are produced by means of elastically deformable U-shaped profiles 7, so as to be attached to said brackets 5 and substantially remain hung on the lower part thereof.

(28) Said channel 3 rests on said U-shaped profiles 7.

(29) Said supporting means comprise means for adjusting their height: by varying the height of said supporting means, the height of said channel 3 is automatically varied. By modifying this height at each bracket 5 it is possible to give said channel 3 a predetermined slope and facilitate disposal of the condensate collected therein toward a previously installed drainage point S.

(30) Said adjustment means are of the type with shape coupling and comprise a pair of tabs 8 obtained on said U-shaped profiles 7 adapted to be retained in specific pairs of selectable grooves 9 obtained on said bracket 5 at different heights.

(31) Said grooves 9 are preferably spaced at 2 mm from one another.

(32) Considering that the means for fixing the tubes 2 to the wall are arranged one every meter, it is clear that the condensate collection channel 3 can have a maximum slope of 2%.

(33) Said plates 4 comprise holes 11 adapted to house the screws for fixing to the wall.

(34) Said screws are the only hardware used for installation of the cooling device 1 according to the invention, while all the other components cooperate with one another with quick fitting and coupling means.

(35) Said brackets 5 and said plates 4 cooperate with one another with an interlocking system through shape coupling: each plate 4 comprises a projecting tab 12, shaped to be inserted inside a respective slot obtained on a corresponding bracket.

(36) Each bracket 5 also comprises two further slots 13, adapted this time to stably house respective tabs 14 provided on the inner surface of the front casing 10.

(37) Said casing 10 can have a coloured outer finish, or can be personalized with the reproduction, on the surface thereof, of any decorative effect, to best adapt to the furnishings and to the context in which it is installed.

(38) It is fundamental that said casing 10 is not resting completely against the wall P in the lower portion of the device 1 so as to leave a longitudinal opening for passage of the cooling air that will touch the wall P below.

(39) In an alternative variant, said cooling device 1 could be recessed in a false ceiling to conceal it and improve the appearance of the room.

(40) Operation of the wall-mounted radiant cooling device 1 for rooms according to the invention is described below.

(41) A coolant, such as water at a temperature comprised between 5° and 16° C., is input into the cooling tubes 2.

(42) The hot air that normally tends to occupy the upper part of the rooms transfers heat to said cooling tubes by touching them.

(43) This transfer of heat decreases the temperature of the air that by becoming heavier causes a descending motion along the walls, in turn cooling them.

(44) Exploiting the mass of the cooled walls, the whole of the surrounding room will consequently be cooled homogeneously through radiation.

(45) At the same time, the tubes 2 subject to a variation of temperature will act as condensation battery: the condensate that forms on their surface will be conveyed in succession from the longitudinal fins 2′, 2″ directly in cascade into the specific collection channel 3 housed in the lower portion of the device 1.