Guest greimann Posted July 6, 2002 Share Posted July 6, 2002 Why is it technically incorrect to call a radiator a "radiator". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperZ Posted July 7, 2002 Share Posted July 7, 2002 Because it cools by "convection" ??? And a little bit of "conduction" ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted July 7, 2002 Share Posted July 7, 2002 I have no idea. Perhaps calling it a radiator is erroneous because the IR radiation emitted is an extremely small portion of the total amount of energy removed by conduction with the air passing between the fins and tubes. Without the air passing through it, it doesn't work very well as it is an extremely inefficient emitter or radiator of heat?? Black box stuff here maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted July 7, 2002 Share Posted July 7, 2002 becuase a radiator is meant to readiat heat....as in household applications. and thats not what a "heat exchanger" in an atomitve application does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 7, 2002 Share Posted July 7, 2002 Yup, heat radiation.. That and Conductiator was to hard to say... Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted July 7, 2002 Share Posted July 7, 2002 Yep, you all are on the wave length (a little radiation humor there). Very little heat in an automotive radiator is lost due to actual radiation. The vast majority is due to conduction of the water to the tubes and fins, and then conduction of the fins to the air flow. That is why it is important not to paint the fins and tubes because the paint insulates the tubes and inhibits the heat conduction. Copper-brass radiators are painted for anti-corrosion and cosmetic purposes with a special thin paint. Aluminum radiators are protected with an invisible cladding or anodizing. Even in old houses with hot water heat, the radiator is a conductor and the warm air travels throughout the room via convection. How the whole radiator misnomer got started is anyone guess, but it happend years ago and we are stuck with it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 7, 2002 Share Posted July 7, 2002 Well lets check with Webster and see what he has to say... Definition: Radiator: Pronunciation: 'rA-dE-"A-t&r, dial 'ra- Function: noun Date: 1836 : one that radiates : as a : any of various devices (as a nest of pipes or tubes) for transferring heat from a fluid within to an area or object outside b : a transmitting antenna Sounds about right according to the definition at least. *Shrug* Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denny411 Posted July 11, 2002 Share Posted July 11, 2002 I think a "dicipator" would be more accurate since the heat dicipates into the air as it passes through it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.