Radiator

Abstract

A radiator comprising two or more radiator sections ( 1 ). Adjacent radiator sections ( 1 ) are in fluid communication with one another via a coupling ( 2 ). The coupling ( 2 ) comprises a fluid channel through which fluid is flowable between adjacent radiator sections ( 1 ), a liquid sealing gasket ( 8 ) for providing a liquid-tight seal around the fluid channel, and a separate gas sealing gasket ( 9 ) for providing a gas-tight seal around the liquid sealing gasket ( 8 ).

1 . A radiator comprising two or more radiator sections, where adjacent radiator sections are in fluid communication with one another via a coupling; and
 wherein said coupling comprises a fluid channel through which fluid is flowable between adjacent radiator sections, a liquid sealing gasket for providing a liquid-tight seal around said fluid channel, and a separate gas sealing gasket for providing a gas-tight seal around said liquid sealing gasket.   
     
     
         2 . A radiator according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid sealing gasket and gas sealing gasket are coaxial. 
     
     
         3 . A radiator according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid sealing gasket is made of a polymer. 
     
     
         4 . A radiator according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid sealing gasket is made of rubber. 
     
     
         5 . A radiator according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas sealing gasket is made of metal. 
     
     
         6 . A radiator according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas sealing gasket is made of copper. 
     
     
         7 . A radiator according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one radiator section includes an annular groove into which the gas sealing gasket can be seated. 
     
     
         8 . A radiator according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas sealing gasket is compressed between adjacent surfaces of adjacent radiator sections. 
     
     
         9 . A radiator according to  claim 8 , wherein adjacent radiator sections are held apart once the gas sealing gasket has been compressed. 
     
     
         10 . A radiator according to  claim 9 , further comprising a spacing member provided between adjacent radiator sections for ensuring that the radiator sections are spaced apart by a predetermined distance once the gas sealing gasket has been compressed. 
     
     
         11 . A radiator according to  claim 10 , wherein said spacing member supports said liquid sealing gasket. 
     
     
         12 . A radiator according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiator sections have a vitreous enamel coating. 
     
     
         13 . A radiator according to  claim 12  wherein the radiator sections are provided with a non-coated area at the coupling between adjacent radiator sections, said non-coated area not having a vitreous enamel coating. 
     
     
         14 . A radiator comprising:
 at least two radiator sections, wherein adjacent radiator sections are in fluid communication with each other;   a joining member for joining the radiator sections together;   end fittings for connection to the ends of the joining member, the end fittings for contacting the outermost radiator sections and drawing the radiator sections together;   a plurality of liquid sealing gaskets for providing a liquid-tight seal between adjacent radiator sections; and   a plurality of gas sealing gaskets for providing a gas-tight seal around each of the plurality of liquid sealing gaskets.   
     
     
         15 . A radiator according to  claim 14 , wherein the joining member is elongate. 
     
     
         16 . A radiator according to  claim 15 , wherein the end fittings are moveable in a direction along the longitudinal axis of each joining member. 
     
     
         17 . A radiator according to  claim 14 , wherein end portions of the joining member are externally threaded and the end fittings are internally threaded, such that the radiator sections are drawn together by screwing the end fittings onto the respective end portions of the joining member. 
     
     
         18 . A radiator according to  claim 14 , wherein the joining member comprises an internal fluid channel for distributing liquid to each of the radiator sections. 
     
     
         19 . A radiator according to any  claim 14 , wherein said joining member comprises a plurality joining elements assembled together. 
     
     
         20 . A radiator according to  claim 19  wherein each of said joining elements comprises an engagement portion for engagement with a radiator section for joining it to an adjacent radiator section. 
     
     
         21 . A radiator according to  claim 20  wherein each of said joining elements comprises a threaded section for connection to a corresponding threaded section on an adjacent joining element. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method of forming a radiator, the method comprising the steps of:
 forming a plurality of radiator sections;   providing a joining member for joining the radiator sections together;   positioning end fittings onto the ends of the joining member, and moving the end fittings relative to the radiator sections to contact the outermost radiator sections and draw the radiator sections together;   providing a plurality of liquid sealing gaskets for providing a liquid-tight seal between adjacent radiator sections;   and providing a plurality of gas sealing gaskets for providing a gas-tight seal around each of the plurality of liquid sealing gaskets.   
     
     
         28 . A method of forming a radiator according to  claim 27 , wherein the end fittings are threaded onto the end portions of the joining member. 
     
     
         29 . A method of forming a radiator according to  claim 28 , and further comprising the step of compressing the gas sealing gasket between adjacent surfaces of adjacent radiator sections to provide the gas-tight seal. 
     
     
         30 . A method of forming a radiator according to  claim 29 , and further comprising the step of positioning a spacing member between adjacent radiator sections to ensure that the radiator sections are spaced apart by a predetermined distance once the gas sealing gasket has been compressed as the radiator sections are drawn together. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A radiator comprising two or more radiator sections, said sections being vitreous enameled, and where adjacent radiator sections are in fluid communication with one another via a coupling and fittings system;
 wherein said coupling and fittings system comprises spacing collars, joining members, end fittings, and a fluid channel through which fluid can flow; and   wherein, for each spacing collar and/or end fitting, there is provided at least one non-metallic liquid sealing gasket for providing a liquid-tight seal around said fluid channel, and a separate metallic gas sealing gasket for providing a tight gas seal around each said liquid sealing gasket.   
     
     
         34 . A radiator comprising two or more radiator sections, where adjacent radiator sections are in fluid communication with one another via a coupling; and
 wherein the radiator sections have a vitreous enamel coating; and   wherein said coupling comprises a fluid channel through which fluid is flowable between adjacent radiator sections, a non-metallic liquid sealing gasket for providing a liquid-tight seal around said fluid channel, and a separate metallic gas sealing gasket for providing a gas-tight seal around said liquid sealing gasket for preventing chemical emissions from said liquid sealing gasket.