Abstract:
A heat exchange assembly is disclosed. In some embodiments, the heat exchange assembly includes a plurality of profiles arranged in an parallel array, each profile including a first distal portion, a central portion and a second distal portion, with a length and a width of the central portion defining a plane, the first distal portion having a curvature departing from this plane in a first direction, and the second distal portion having a curvature departing from this plane in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. An amount of piping is thermally coupled with and disposed along the length the central portion of each profile. A bracketing system statically anchors the profiles to a surface. Fluid is circulated within the piping to facilitate heat exchange between the assembly and the surrounding environment.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/872,403, filed Aug. 30, 2103, that is incorporated by reference as if disclosed herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Environmental temperature control has long been a desirable capacity and numerous systems have been implemented in this respect. Many environments may at times require cooling while at other times requiring heating. Temperature control systems employing either convection heat exchange or radiant heat exchange have been developed. 
         [0003]    However, in many instances such systems require considerable energy to operate. Inefficiency can lead to high operating costs and adverse environmental impact. Therefore high efficiency systems remain desired. 
         [0004]    The subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Disclosed is a heat exchange assembly for regulating the temperature of an environment. Embodiment systems have been found to be of higher efficiency than previous systems. 
         [0006]    In an embodiment, an array of profiles is disposed in an environment, for example an office area requiring temperature control. Each of the profiles is a panel having elongated serpentine curvatures and a protruding channel. Within each channel is a pipe that is thermally coupled to its respective profile. A fluid circulatory system produces fluid flow through the piping. If the system is acting to cool an area, then fluid having a temperature lower than the temperature of the environment is circulated. The profiles are cooled by the pipes through conduction, and the environment is cooled by the profiles through radiant and convective heat transfer. The profiles are spaced apart from one another by a distance effective to facilitate this heat transfer. The system is suspended from the ceiling of the area to be cooled by a frame and a number of support brackets, with the pipes positioned on the upper surface of the profiles so as to be hidden from view. Thus an efficient, aesthetically pleasing heat exchange system is provided. 
         [0007]    In certain embodiments, slots are formed in the profiles, increasing the available surface area for radiant heat exchange and facilitating airflow through the profiles. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The foregoing summary, preferred embodiments, and other aspects of the present disclosure will be best understood with reference to a detailed description of specific embodiments, which follows, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is side-view schematic illustration of a profile according to an embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an exploded side-view schematic illustration of an embodiment heat exchange assembly. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side-view schematic illustration of the heat exchange assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  is a side plan view of another embodiment heat exchange assembly having contoured support brackets. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4B  is a side plan view of another embodiment heat exchange assembly having hook support brackets. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective illustration of a solid profile according to an embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective illustration of a profile having slots on a portion of its surface according to another embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5C  is a perspective illustration of a profile having slots on the entirety of its surface according to another embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6A  is a side-view schematic illustration of another embodiment heat exchange assembly. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6B  is a side-view schematic illustration of another embodiment heat exchange assembly. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a side-view schematic illustration of a profile showing various geometric features. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8A  is a side-view schematic illustration of a support bracket of an embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8B  is a bottom schematic illustration of the support bracket of  FIG. 8A . 
           [0022]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective schematic illustration of mounting bracket of an embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9B  is a top-plan view of the mounting bracket of  FIG. 9A . 
           [0024]      FIG. 9C  is a front-plan view of the mounting bracket of  FIG. 9A . 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a support bracket of an embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is an illustration of another embodiment as suspended from a ceiling. 
       
    
    
       [0027]    Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    Disclosed is a heat exchange assembly for controlling the temperature of an environment. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a side-view schematic drawing of wave-like profile, or sail,  100  configured for use in an embodiment heat exchange assembly. Profiles provide a surface from which energy is exchanged between an embodiment heat exchange assembly and an operating environment. Profile  100  includes central portion  101 , first distal portion  102  and second distal portion  103 . The width, or thickness of profile  100 , and its length (into the page), together define a plane. First distal portion  102  has a curvature that departs from this plane in a first direction. Second distal portion  103  departs from the plane in a second direction that is also opposite of the curvature of first distal portion  102 . Optionally, the curvature of first distal portion  102  is a mirror image of second distal portion  103 , centered around the plane defined by the width and length of center portion  101 . 
         [0030]    Piping  104  is thermally coupled with profile  100  and is disposed along the length of center portion  101  and parallel to the length-wise axis of center portion  101 . Profile  100  has protruding channel  105  wherein piping  104  is disposed. In the embodiment, channel  105  is thermally coupled with greater than 55% of the circumference of outer surface  106  of piping  104 . Preferably channel  105  and piping  104  are manufactured so that piping  104  can be snapped into channel  105  and thereby be retained. In the embodiment, piping  104  does not reach beyond the vertical edges of profile  100 , thereby remaining concealed. Piping  104  is configured to circulate fluid having a temperature differential with respect to the environment in which the heat exchange assembly is disposed. This allows for conductive thermal energy transfer between the piping and the profiles and allows for radiant and convective thermal energy transfer between the profiles and the environment. Connections to water mains are located on the top of the profile. 
         [0031]    Preferably, profile  100  is constructed from aluminum or an aluminum alloy, while piping  104  is a precision drawn copper tube. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is an exploded side-view schematic drawing of embodiment heat exchange assembly  200 . Heat exchange assembly  200  includes first group of profiles  201  and second group of profiles  202 . Profile  203  has a cross section characterized by serpentine curvature. Piping  204  is thermally coupled to profile  203  (when assembled) via channel  205  and is disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of profile  203 . Frame  206  provides support for and allows for the integration of the various profiles. Support brackets  207  are used to attach the profiles to frame  206 . In use, piping  204  receives fluid flow through it that is effective to either heat or cool the environment, depending on the temperature control that is desired. Connections are made to a water source at the top of profiles  201 . Water is supplied from water mains (not shown) via flex hoses and nipples to piping  204 . The longitudinal axis of the profiles are spaced apart from one another by a minimal distance that is sufficient to facilitate efficient convective heat exchange between the profiles and the environment. In situations where both heating and cooling may be required, a changeover valve can be employed. Anchor  208  connects frame  206  to a surface, in this case a ceiling. Frame  206  has attachment points  209 . Mounting bracket  210  receives mounting rod  211 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  depicts an assembled embodiment heat exchange assembly, suspended from a ceiling (not pictured) of an environment. When in a cooling mode, hot air from the environment rises and is cooled by the profiles. Cooled air then sinks, creating circulation that facilitates heat exchange between the environment and the heat exchange assembly. 
         [0034]    Systems according to the disclosed subject matter can be custom manufactured to accommodate various sizes. Certain embodiment profiles range in length from about 1800 mm to 3600 mm, preferably in increments of 300 mm. There are no restrictions on the number of profiles that can be deployed in embodiment heat exchange assemblies, but preferably fluid pressure is maintained above 45 kPa. Profile appearance can be custom tailored to various needs, although low gloss levels and a non-metallic finish are preferred. 
         [0035]    Profiles of embodiment heat exchange assemblies may be controlled individually or via zone, depending on the particular application. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4A  is a side plan view of another embodiment heat exchange assembly having 10 profiles that are supported by contoured support brackets.  FIG. 4B  is a side plan view of another embodiment heat exchange also employing 10 profiles but with connection provided by hook support brackets connected to the piping. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 5A-C  show various possible designs for embodiment profiles. With respect to  FIG. 5A , profile  500  has first distal portion  501  and second distal portion  502 , both of which have a solid surface. With respect to  FIG. 5B , profile  503  has a first distal portion  504  that is solid and second distal portion  505  that has a plurality of slots  506  formed in its surface. In the embodiment, slots  506  are formed in a radial fashion from the center of profile  503 .  FIG. 5C  shows profile  507 , wherein both first distal portion  508  and second distal portion  509  have slots formed therein. It should be understood by those of skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains that slots can take on various geometries and may be located in various patterns. The presence of slots may increase the surface area available for conductive heat transfer to the environment and may also produce convective airflow around the profile, resulting in more efficient heat exchange with the environment. In embodiment heat exchange assemblies, some profiles may have slots while others do not, depending on the desired configuration. Profiles may optionally be powder coated, or may consist of bare metal. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6A  depicts another embodiment heat exchange assembly. Profiles, of which there are  14  in the particular embodiment, are each characterized by a first and a second constant-curvature section. These sections are mirrored in respect to one another around a central axis running along the length of the profile. Each profile also has a c-shaped channel disposed on its exterior, the lengthwise axis of which is substantially parallel to the central axis of the profile. Each channel has seated in it a pipe that is in thermal connection with the channel. A flow control unit (not pictured) controls fluid flow through the pipes, thereby regulating the temperature of the environment in which the heat exchange assembly is disposed. The profiles are spaced apart from one another by a distance effective to allow efficient convective heat exchange between the panels and the environment. In the embodiment, the distance between adjacent profiles is preferably at least 85 mm. In constructed embodiments, 96 mm was found to produce efficient heat exchange. Other dimensions are provided for reference. In the embodiment, dimension D 2  is 126 mm, dimension D 3  is 73 mm and dimension D 4  is 137 mm. Dimensions D 5  and D 6  are dependent on the number of profiles included in the embodiment, and in this instance are 336 mm and 376 mm, respectively.  FIG. 6B  depicts another embodiment having 12 profiles. Dimensions D 1 , D 2 , D 3 , and D 4  are the same as for the embodiment of  FIG. 6A . However, dimension D 7  is 249 mm and dimension D 8  is 289 mm. Other embodiments having different profile configurations should be understood to be within the scope of the present disclosure. For instances, embodiment heat exchange assemblies could employ only 10, 8 or 6 profiles, depending on the needed heating or cooling capacity. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  depicts a side schematic view of the geometry of a profile according to an embodiment. The depicted dimensions are as follows:
       θ 1 : 62-63°   θ 2 : 52-53°   θ 3 : 58-59°   θ 4 : 56-57°   θ 5 : 58-59°   L 1 : 100-105 mm   L 2 : 125-130 mm   L 3 : 62-67 mm   L 4 : 35-40 mm   L 5 : 2-3 mm   L 6 : 2-8 mm   L 7 : 62-63 mm   L 8 : 64.5-65.5 mm   L 9 : 13-14 mm   L 10 : 14-15 mm (+/−0.1 mm)       
 
         [0055]    The provided dimensions are for an exemplary embodiment and should not be understood to limit other embodiments of the present disclosure. In the embodiment, the tolerances of the “C” channel together with the tolerances of the copper tube (not shown) that will be inserted in it result in the ability to clamp or snap the piping into the profile when they are pressed together. This enables an optimal heat transfer area and heat transfer rate. The copper tube is a precision drawn 15.0 mm OD, seamless and semi-hard drawn copper tube. To ensure a high precision fit in the “C” channel, the copper is calibrated and hardened. The tolerances of the OD are within ±0.02 mm. The copper tubing is tested with the “Eddy Current Method” and proofed for any hairline cracks. Other embodiments may optionally employ deeper geometry in the profile. 
         [0056]      FIG. 8A  is a side plan view of the support frame of an embodiment.  FIG. 8B  is a bottom plan view of the support frame of  FIG. 8A . Evident is the wave hole pattern that allows for the attachment of profiles. 
         [0057]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of a mounting bracket of an embodiment heat exchange assembly. As seen best in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a mounting bracket can be used to attach profiles to a support frame.  FIG. 9B  is a top plan view of the mounting bracket of  FIG. 9A .  FIG. 9C  is a front plan view of the mounting bracket of  FIG. 9A . 
         [0058]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a support bracket of an embodiment heat exchange assembly. As seen best in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the support bracket has a surface whose contour follows that of a profile (not pictured) to which it is attached. 
         [0059]      FIG. 11  is an illustration of an embodiment heat exchange assembly as could be suspended from a ceiling in an environment. 
         [0060]    In certain embodiments, a dew point monitor is included and determines the dew point temperature in the environment. A flow controller is configured to limit flow of fluid through the piping, thereby avoiding any condensation. Sensors for this purpose are preferably located off a main pipeline. 
         [0061]    Systems according to the disclosed subject matter are designed for high heat loads and are developed for use with both open and closed ceilings. Due to the purpose designed profile and the geometry of the unit an increase in convective cooling capacity is achieved. Systems according to the disclosed subject matter are effective for use as spot cooling elements or simply as a chilled ceiling. Systems according to the disclosed subject matter are designed for use in various environments such as commercial and residential buildings, office buildings, schools, and manufacturing facilities. 
         [0062]    Certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter have a unique appearance that is both functional and architecturally appealing. 
         [0063]    Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein and thereto, without parting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following various embodiments.