Tube support system

Abstract

A heat exchanger assembly for a heating or cooling system, comprising an array of parallel tubes, and a mounting system comprising at least two spaced apart, elongate support members extending laterally across the array of tubes, the tubes and support members being interconnected by a plurality of connecting blocks each of which has one channel or aperture adapted to fit onto a heating tube, and another channel or aperture adapted to fit onto a support member.

1 . A mounting block for a heat exchanger tube assembly, comprising a first channel or bore adapted to receive a heat exchanger tube, and a second channel or bore extending at right angles to the first channel, and adapted to receive a laterally extending support member.  
     
     
         2 . A mounting block according to  claim 1  in which the first channel is open sided so that it can be slid onto the back of a tube comprising part of a tubular heating or cooling system.  
     
     
         3 . A mounting block according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  in which the second channel comprises a slot adapted to receive a laterally extending support member comprising an elongate bar.  
     
     
         4 . A heat exchanger assembly comprising a plurality of parallel tubes mounted on transversely extending support members by means of mounting blocks in accordance with any preceding claim.  
     
     
         5 . A heat exchanger assembly for a heating or cooling system, comprising an array of parallel tubes, and a mounting system comprising at least two spaced apart, elongate support members extending laterally across the array of tubes, the tubes and support members being interconnected by a plurality of connecting blocks each of which has one channel or aperture adapted to fit onto a heating tube, and another channel or aperture adapted to fit onto a support member.  
     
     
         6 . A heat exchanger assembly in accordance with  claim 4  or  claim 5  in which the tubes are interconnected by a manifold at each end.  
     
     
         7 . A heat exchanger assembly in accordance with  claim 6  in which each manifold comprises a plurality of tee connectors which can be interconnected by pipe sections of different lengths to allow for different spacings between the tubes.  
     
     
         8 . A heat exchanger assembly in accordance with  claim 6  or  claim 7  in which each manifold is provided with bellows sections to allow assembly of the tubes with slightly adjustable relative positions.  
     
     
         9 . A heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 6  in which the tubes and manifolds are interconnected by means of push fit connectors sealed by means of O-rings.  
     
     
         10 . A heat exchanger assembly in accordance with any of  claims 4  to  9  in which each tube supports an elongate, substantially flat outer panel forming a heating or cooling surface, the arrangement being such that the relative positions of adjacent panels is adjustable by sliding the mounting blocks along the support members.  
     
     
         11 . A heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 10  further comprising a plurality of flat infill panels adapted to fit between the tube panels.  
     
     
         12 . A heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 11  in which the tube panels are provided with channels or flanges adapted to locate the edges of the infill panels.  
     
     
         13 . A heat exchanger assembly according to  claim 10  further comprising at least one housing adapted to fit between adjacent panels for accommodating air vents, luminaires or other accessories.  
     
     
         14 . A ceiling panel assembly comprising a heat exchange system according to any of  claims 4  to  13 .  
     
     
         15 . A ceiling panel assembly according to  claim 14  further comprising suspension means to enable the assembly to be connected to overhead supports.