Ceiling or Wall Unit

The invention relates to a ceiling or wall unit comprising a plurality of juxtaposed metal plates, preferably aluminium plates, each plate optionally being inserted in a groove of an abutting plate, and each metal plate being provided with at least one cooling pipe preferably shaped integral with the plate.

German Offenlegungsschrift No. 3,237,351 discloses a wall construction in the form of a metal plate with integrally formed pipes transporting liquid and provided with longitudinal cooling ribs.

According to the invention the ribs are provided within the pipe.

In this manner the transfer of heat is improved in such a manner that the dimensions of the pipes can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the consumption of material.

The invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of some ceiling plates,

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a portion of the assembled ceiling unit, and

FIG. 3 illustrates the pipe branch.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a suspension of a ceiling unit.

The ceiling unit of FIGS. 2 and 3 comprises a plurality of juxtaposed metal plates, preferably aluminium plates, cf. FIG. 1. One rim 1 of each plate is inserted in a groove 2 of an abutting plate. Each plate is provided with at least one cooling pipe preferably integrally shaped with the plate. The cooling pipes communicate with transverse pipe portions 4, i.e. manifolds, through pipe stubs, said transverse pipe portions simultaneously assisting at the suspension. These pipes comprise both an inlet and an outlet. The cooling liquid is preferably water of a temperature of 12.degree.-25.degree. C., preferably 12.degree.-15.degree. C., the water circulating in a closed circuit including a conventional refrigerator. The cooling plates are preferably made of anodized, extruded aluminium providing a maximum absorption of radiation heat as well as a maximum heat conduction to the cooling pipes 3. The cooling pipes are according to the invention provided with inner longitudinal ribs 6 increasing the inner surface of the cooling pipes, whereby the dimensions of the pipes can be reduced correspondingly. Each plate is of a length of about 120 cm and a width of about 10 cm. The plates are assembled in groups of a width of about 120 cm and a length of up to 300 cm. Each plate is of a thickness of 1.0-1.5 mm, whereas the pipes may be of an inner diameter so small as 8 mm as a consequence of the relatively great inner surface.

The dimensions of the pipes are calculated on the basis of yield and pressure drop across the groups, the pumping capacity of the cold water device as well as of the pressure nomogram for the pipes. As far as small systems are concerned, the pipe installation may be manufactured of 22 mm pipes and with connections made of 12 mm pipes. The groups of plates can be individually adjusted by means of valves mounted directly on the groups.

Fine ribs are provided on the underside of each plate, said ribs increasing the absorbing surface and making possible formations of dew invisible.

Usually the groups of plates are suspended over the working environments and/or persons encumbered with a heat problem, cf. FIG. 4. The idea is primarily to cover the human requirements as to transmission of heat. It is considered a secondary feature to cool the room. The heat absorption of the surface is about 200 W/m.sup.2 which corresponds to a supply-pipe temperature of about 15.degree. C. and a return temperature of about 18.degree. C. and a circulating amount of water of about 50 l/h.

As an alternative, the lamella unit can be used in connection with a partition, whereby a drain for condensed water is provided at the bottom thereof.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the ribs extend along a helical line. In this manner the laminar flow is maintained at the same time as the liquid is rotating. As a result, the transfer of heat is improved without increasing the pressure drop across the pipe. The pitch of the helical line may vary. The ribs are not necessarily square as illustrated at the top of FIG. 1. As an alternative, they may be trapezoidal or rounded or for instance sinusoidal or dovetailed.

Each plate is preferably manufactured through extrusion.

The pipe branch, cf. FIG. 3, is composed of an aluminum tube having an outer thread 7 for screwing in in a transverse channel portion 1 and a smooth portion for insertion in the cooling channel 3 where the ribs are bored. The smooth portion is provided with two circumferential grooves 8. The pipe branch is glued to the cooling channel 3. It is very important that the glue is distributed uniformly. This is obtained by means of the thread 7 and the grooves 8, both the thread and the grooves forming rings of air space with low pressure where the glue is received and makes sealing rings.

The ceiling or wall unit according to the invention may be varied in many ways without thereby deviating from the scope of the invention.

The cooling pipes are not necessarily circular, but may also be square or semicircular.

The ceiling or wall unit may alternatively be used as a heating unit.