Joist space heat emitting plats and manifold
The invention is directed to a method and apparatus that utilizes heated fluid circulated through heat emitting tubing held within heat emitting plates that transfer heat from the tubing to the sub-floor of an occupied space for purposes of heating that space. The configuration and placement of the heat emitting plates is such that heat is transferred by means of conduction, convection and radiation while avoiding potential puncture from nails or other penetrations of the sub-floor from above the sub-floor. A manifold configuration allows for fluid distribution to the heat emitting tubing in joist spaces.
Not Applicable
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIXNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONThe invention relates to an environmental heating system that utilizes a flowing heated fluid to transfer heat from a heat source to a selected environment. The invention is directed to a hydronic radiant panel heating method and apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONInterior environmental heating systems utilizing fluid to transport heat from a heat generating device, such as a hot water boiler, to tubing embedded in a floor have been used for many years. Fluid circulators are used to move fluid from the heat-generating device to the heat emitting floor tubing through pipe. When multiple heat emitting tubes are used with a single heat generator it becomes necessary to divide the flow of fluid into several tube circuits with a manifold. Flow in these manifolds is often regulated with valves placed in the manifold circuit to variably restrict flow, control fluid temperature or stop flow altogether if necessary. While the heat emitting floor tubing is often embedded in the actual floor construction, such as concrete slabs, it may also be attached to the underside of a wood subfloor or suspended in the air space between floor joists. At times a metal plate, usually of aluminum material, is formed around the tube and attached to the subfloor to conduct the heat from the tube to the underside of subfloor. When suspended in the joist air space, a plate may also be attached to the tubing to act as a thermal fin to assist in dissipating the heat into the joist space by convection. Often times holes are made through the floor joists to accommodate a length of heat emitting tubing to be laced back and forth through a series of adjacent joist spaces.
The invention is directed to a hydronic heating system operable to heat one or more selected living areas to desired temperatures utilizing heat emitting plates installed beneath a wood subfloor within the confines of the air space between the floor joists. The function of the manifold, heat emitting tube, heat emitting plates, joist space and subfloor are contained in a preferred embodiment of this invention. The apparatus specific to this invention are the manifold and the heat emitting plates.
The preferred embodiment of the heat emitting plate of this invention is shown in
An insulation material 8 shown in
The combination of the convective heat from the heat emitting plates coming in contact with the underside of the subfloor, the conducted heat from the heat emitting tubes through the heat emitting plates through the fins to the subfloor and the radiant heat transfer from the surface of the fin to the underside of the subfloor all contribute to the heating of the subfloor material which transfers through the subfloor via conduction.
The heat transfer can be reversed in this same embodiment of the invention where the fluid in the tube is colder than the joist bay air and subfloor. In such a case the heat flow is from the subfloor to the joist air space and through the plate to the tubing trapped in the plate trough and carried away by the fluid in the tube to be rejected elsewhere in the system.
In addition to the heat emitting plates the preferred embodiment of the invention includes manifolds shown in
The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a supply manifold pipe 13, a return manifold 14 and heat emitting plates. The manifold pipes are constructed from a straight length of copper pipe with brass or bronze fittings for connection to plastic or copper tubing commonly used in hydronic heating systems. Fittings 12 are spaced to provide for one fitting per joist bay. Manifolds alternatively could be constructed from plastic or other materials compatible with hydronic heating systems.
Heat emitting plates 2 are formed from thin metal sheet such as aluminum or steel with substantial strength to support the tube without deforming. Plates in the preferred embodiment of the invention have a plurality of perforated holes in the fin portion of the plate accounting for no more than 50% of the fin area. The plates dimensions are such that the width of the plate is approximately two thirds of the width of the joist bay area to be served and of such length to make shipping and installation manageable. Plates are bent in such a manner that one plate nests flush on top of another plate resulting in the least amount of space required for shipping.
Claims
1. A hydronic heating method and apparatus for providing heated or cooled fluid to a plurality of heat emitting plates attached to the underside of a subfloor through which a space is heated, comprising of a heat emitting plate design that optimizes the use of convection, conduction and radiation to transfer heat through a joist space to the surface of a subfloor.
2. A hydronic heating method and apparatus of claim 1 for providing heated or cooled fluid to a plurality of heat emitting plates attached to the underside of a subfloor through which a space is heated, comprising of a heat emitting plate design that provides easy retention of the heat emitting tube by means of crimping or bending of the plate over the tube at time of installation in the field.
3. A hydronic heating method and apparatus of claim 1 for providing heated or cooled fluid to a plurality of heat emitting plates attached to the underside of a subfloor through which a space is heated, comprising of a heat emitting plate design that incorporates a plurality of open air holes in the surface of the plate to promote convective air circulation in the joist bay.
4. A hydronic heating method and apparatus of claim 1 for providing heated or cooled fluid to a plurality of heat emitting plates attached to the underside of a subfloor through which a space is heated, comprising of a heat emitting plate design that holds the heat emitting tube an appropriate distance below the subfloor to minimize the possibility of damage to the tube due to construction nails or screws being driven through the subfloor.
5. A hydronic heating method and apparatus of claim 1 for providing heated or cooled fluid to a plurality of heat emitting plates attached to a subfloor through which a space is heated, comprising of a modular manifold compatible with normal joist construction practices with a minimum of one supply and one return fitting in communication with a heat emitting tube located at each joist bay so as to distribute heated fluid to heat emitting plates located in that joist bay.
6. A hydronic heating method and apparatus for providing heated or cooled fluid to a plurality of heat emitting plates attached to a subfloor, comprising of modular manifolds of claim 3 that are easily assembled on the job site using mechanical fittings with minimum soldering.
7. A hydronic heating method and apparatus for providing heated or cooled fluid to a plurality of heat emitting plates attached to a subfloor, comprising of modular manifolds of claim 3 that requires no drilling of holes in floor joists to accommodate either the manifolds or the heating fluid tubes.
8. A hydronic heating method and apparatus of claim 1 for providing heated or cooled fluid through modular manifolds compatible with joist spacing through a heat emitting tube to a plurality of heat emitting plates attached to the underside of a subfloor with the purpose of heating a sealed joist space that transmits heat through the subfloor to heat a living space by conductive, convective and radiant heat transfer from a plurality of heat emitting plates.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 9, 2007
Publication Date: Jul 10, 2008
Inventor: Lawrence Vernon Drake (Loveland, CO)
Application Number: 11/651,387