Title of Invention

HEAT-CONDUCTING PLATES MADE FROM EXPANDED GRAPHITE AND METHOD FOR THEIR PRODUCTION

Abstract

The invention relates to heazconducting places made from compressed expanded graphite ma^z^rial/ the layer planes of which are preferably arranged 50 as to be c-arallel to the surface so that th^ heat conduction in c. lateral direction is preferred to the heat conduction that is perpendicular to ::he plate plane. The heat-conducting plates in accordance with the invention are suitable for the transmission of hea- of floor-, wall--, ceiling- and other flatly arranged heating ^yzz^ns, air-conditioning ceilings, for the r.ransmis3ion of heat and the dissipation of heat in buildings, r.otor cars, in machines and installations and containers- The heau-conducting plates are dimensionally stable without the addition of binder and aggregates and can be produced in a continuous process.

Full Text

Keat-conduct-ing plates made fror. exoar.ded graohite ar.d method for their produc-ion Descrip::ion The present ir.vention relates to heat-conducting plates iT.ade frcrr. expanded graphite v;ithou:: binding agents wixih uxyLfcixi.'«d neau cOi.aUw(-ion paraj-^ei tc vne pia-s surface, and also to a method for their producuion. The heat-cond'ixcring plates in accordance with the invention are suitable inter alid. for the transiTiission of heat of floor-, wall-^ ceiling- and other flatly arranged heating systems, air-conditioning ceilings. In addition to z:\zzz ::pplicationc in building engineering. ::he heat-ccnducting plates in accordance v^ith the invention can be used for the transmission of hea~ and dissipation of heaz in motor cars, :-n machines and :.ns"caixacion3 and -:i i-^iupyx-ctvui.fc;-uuiiL-. Special heat-conducting heating layars are used in conjunction with floor-, wall- and ceriing-heating systems, in order to achieve pleasant room air conditions. Conductive flooring plaster, building plaster and other heating layers chat contain additives nade from graphite in order to improve the heat conductivity are known from Patent Applications DE 196 22 788 A, DE 100 49 230 A and D3 198 02 230 A, DE 195 33 686 A, and DE 196 CO 228 A. In Patent Applications DE 41 17 077 A, DE 41 17 074 A and DS 40 167 10 it has been proposed that moulded bodies made from expanded graphite be used in the construction of floor-heating systems and other heating installations anc also in devices for sound-insulation and electromagnetic shielding. These r.oulded bodies are produced in that either • expandable graphite is incompletely expanded in a fluidized bed or already in the final ir.ould whilst subject CO a moderate heat supply and subsequently the expansion is broucrht to an end at an increased temperature in a mouldy or • expandable graphite that has been incompletely expanded whilst subject to a ir.oderate heat supply is pressed in a mould to forr. a preforr.-i ar.d subsequently the ^expansion is brought to an end in the nould at a comparatively high temperature, or • a moist preparation of expandable graphite is expanded in a mould whilst subject to a supply cf The final stage of the expansion is thus in each case -t the expansion there is no compacting. The mould mus be designed in such a vay that on the one hand it is substantially closed so that the material takes on the desired geometry, but on the other hand it perrr.i-s the escape Ci. ci-Lr. Tutt lU'oa-uu^U U'^0--L^^ -.-i'.at aue o^i/taAnec with this method are to be dimensionally stable and have homogeneous density. In preferred variants of the above-mentioned methods, various aggregates and auxiliary substances, in particular binding agents/ are added to the expandable graphite, Since the expansion cf the expandable graphite that is uniformly distributed in the mould takes place in all directions in space in the method of production -J '. \ ! -.\-..-.Tr.- -f-K.-. 1--r-. -."-.«.-.-. -J? +-U« _,«-,„-uJ4-^ i^ zhe moulded bodies do not take on any distinct preferred orientation and the heat conductivity of these m.oulded bodies will therefore hardly be directicnally dependent. For use in connection with flatly arranged heating elements, such as, for example, preferred heat conduction in plane is desirable in order to achieve raoid and uniform heat distribution over the surface. Further dlsad^^antages of tha prior ar-c described above are the discontinuous method of production and the conparatively hic:h outlay for -he produccicn of the ventable moulds. :n contrast;, in accordance wich the invention heat-conducting plates are provided that ccnzain compressed ^.vnan^eH a^;=n'ii T-^ *Tiatr^rial, in v;hich elates the heat conducuion is preferentially effec'::ed along the plate plane,"^^ These heat-conducting plates are dimensionally 5-t:able withouz t:he addition of bind^ir and agcrec-ates-Furthermore, a method is set forth v/ith which such heat-ccnducting places rhat are made of expanded graphite can be produced in a conwinucus manner. The production of expanded graphite :expanded graphite material) is kno^^^n ir'-f^.r ^lis frcm US-A 5 404 061. To produce expanded graphi-e, graphite-intercaiat:ion hydrogen sulphate or graphite ni"rate, are heated in a shock-like manner. Thereupon^ the volume of the graphite par::icles is increased by the factor 200 to 400 and the bulk density drops to 2 to 20 g/1. The so-called expanded graphite material thus obcained consists of vermiform or concertina-shaped aggregates. Tf th^i completely expanded graphite is compac;:ed under the directional action of a pressure, the layer planes of the araobite are nv^fcav-,hlv ^rrpna^^d RO ^F^ tn b"?^ perpendicular to the direction of action of the pressure, v/ith the individual aggregates hooking up '"..'ith C^'^'h O^h'^r ^° = >*/Si*Tt1 •* yslpnp-*" ^t mr^huri* * . ^d"^ example webs or plates, can be produced that are self-fpupporting without the addition of binders* It is on this effect that is known from the production of graphite foils with a thickness of 0.15 to 3 min, used, for example, as semi-finished products for the production of flat seals, that the production and mode of functioning of the heat-conducting plates in accordance v;ith the invention are based. On account o the directional ac::ion of the pressv.ra during the compaccing of i:he e: Tur-her details, features and advantages of the invention err.erge frorr. uhe following detailed description, the figures and the exemplary er^ibodirrients. In rhe figures: Figures 1 a-c show cross-sectional representations of the heat-conduc-ing plate in accordance with the invention wivh pipes for the distribution of a heat-carrier; Figure 2 shows a cross section through a corponent: for an air-conditioning ceiling wiT:h the heac-conducting plata in accordance with i:he invention; "igure 3 shows a plan vis^.v cf a heat-conducting plate in accordance vith the invention ;vith a heating spiral, enabedded therein. Typically, the hea~"Ccnductinc plates in accord^.nC'* v;ith the invention are between 3 an:. zO ruin thick, l-'owGver, plate's having thicknesses between 2C and 40 rrxr. are particularly preferred. Typical dimensions for v:all/ floor and ceiling elements us€:d in structural engineering lie between ICO x 60 and 2 00 x 100 crri. The heat-conducting plates in accordance with the invenzicn are not, however, tied to these dinensrons* The length and width can be selected in accordance with the intended application, since the production method does not set any narrow liir.its. The density of the expanded graphite in the heat-conducting plates in accordance with the invention lies in the range cf 0.01 to 0-5 g/ciu^ , preferably between 0.05 and 0.25 g/cir> . For use in structural engineering, the heat-conducting plates in accordance wiuh the invention therefore nieet the demands with respect to lightweight plates (bulk density The heat conductivity of the heat-conducting plates in accordance with the invention in the direction parallel to the plate surface amounts to at least 5.5 W/ni-'^K and in the direction perpendicularly to the plate surface amounts to 3.6 w/in*K. The heat conductivity parallel to the surface is thus at leasr 50% greater than perpendicularly to the surface. The ratio of the heat conductivity parallel to the plate surface to the heat greater, the more intense the compression of the expanded graphite is, that is, the greater the density of the heat^-ccnducting plate is. The heat-conductinc olate in accordance with the invention can be used, for example, in conjunction with heating systems that utilise a fluid heat-carrier or ever, in conjunctior. v-ith el^c^rical heating sys-err.s, tipes raade from ma-al^ for example copper, or plastics rr.aterial, for exa-'r.pla polypropylene or cress-linked i^v^-j^-^ V.*;.' -www, ^^^ ^^«^ . --W- _.. w_.o ..c.cz- ccn^,,-.c -ir.r; p_i _t in accordance v/ith rhe invention for -he transportation of a fluid heau-carrier, for example A-ater- Pipss rr.ade from metal ars preferred on account cf the superior heat transfer. A pips 2, for example, is embedded sc far in^-h(S heat-conducting plate 1 that it ends so thac it is flush vvith "he plate surface ^ Figure la) or is partly embedded rharein, that is, a portion of the circumference of the pips 2 projects cut from ths surface of the heat-conductinq plate 1 like a relief (Figure lb). The space 3 around "he pipes projecting out of the plate surface is filled in vvith a suitable material, for example flooring plaster or ground graphite material to which flooring plaster is applied• Heating wires for electrical heating can be laid on chs plate surface or pressed into the plate surface. Alternatively, pipes 2 or heating elem.ents can also be laid bet^v'een two heat-conducting places 1 and 1' which are then pressed together (Figure Ic). It has been shox^rn that such composite plax:e$ rr.ade from two heat-conducting plates of expanded graphite that have been pressed together are very stable; they cannot work J.OVH?^ d.yaxx'1 az wue oounciary suri.ace o— vne pxa"ces. Plates cf little thickness are preferably used for this variant in order to obtain a composite plate whose thickness only slightly exceeds the diamieter of the embedded pipe. A large distance between the plate surface and the heating element or pipe embedded in the plate is disadvantageous since the heat conduction in the heat-conducting plates in accordance wix:h the invention perpendicularly to the pla^e plane is less than that parallel to the plate plane. The pipes or heating wires are arranged in such a way that they enable there to bs uniform distribution of the heat over the place surface, for example in a meander-shaped cr spiral pattern» For this reason, the heating v;ires cf electrical heating systen^s are preferably arranged in a grid- or meander-shaped rr.annsr. On account of the hiah level of heax: conductivity of the heat,-conductina plate in accordance v;it.h the invenzicn, -he heating pipes cr vvires on the surface thai is to be heated need not, however, form s-:.c:\ a dense grid system as "hat required in the c3-s In their simplest embodiment, the heat-conducting plates in accordance with the invention consist completely of expanded graphite. Aggregates and auxiliary subsT:ances, in particular binding agents, are not required for the functioning and dim.ensional stability of the heat-conducting plates in accordance w^ith the invention. However, the heat conductivity and the mechanical stabilitv of the olates in accordance with the invention can be increased by adding metal and/or carbon fibres to the starting material expanded graphite material. The length of these fibres prsteraiDiy arr.ounts to u.k; to o na\. me mass traction of the fibres preferably lies between 5 and 40%. A further er.bodiment of rhe hear-conducting place in accordance V7ith the invention is characterised in that the heat-conductinj places are completely or parrly impregnated with plasties material^/ for example resins or thermoplastics^ in order to increase the density and the resistance to r:.ech^.nical and other environmental effects. ^alternatively or m addition, one or mors surfaces of the heat-conduccing plates can be provided partially or completely with coats of paint, coverings or ccatmgs that perform certain functions, such as Ir.ter alia the improvement of the visual effect and facilitation of the handleability of the heat-conducting plates, fire-protection, efface as a watsr-^vapour barrier, improvement of the heat-insulation and sound-insulation and reduction in the susceptibility to shock. A covering, for example a layer of varnish, or a layer of plastics material on the plate surface preferably qives rise noc onlv to an imorcvement in che visual effect and the ease of handling, but also takes over or assists with certain functions in terms of building physics. For example, an improvement in che electromagnetic shielding is achieved v/ith a metalliferous layer of varnish. A reflective layer of varnish improves the radiation of heat into the adjacent space. These functions are also performed by a co^ating v;ith a metal foil, for exam.ple alum.inium. foil- Heat-insulating coatings consist, for example^ of expanded polystyrene, polyurethane or glass wool or rock wool. These are preferably provided on the surface of the heat-conducting plates that is remoce from the space to be heated in order to avoid heat losses. further suitabla materials for coating che hear-conducting place in accordance v/ith the invention with a further functional layer are non-vcven fabrics, and papars; weed vsnasrs, planar tsxtils inaterials (woven fabrics, layered fabrics, warp-" For further use, ir. terms of structural enginesring, of the heat-conducting plate in accordance with the invention it is advantageous tc provide at least one surface partly or completely with a coating that enables there to be connection to other building materials. Suitable coating materials for this are filler, building-plaster and flooring-plaster and also nortar and concrete masses- z:he heat-conducting plates in accordance with the invention made from expanded graphite are not restricted to the simple flat plate form- The heat-conducting plates in accordance with the invention contain, for example, structural elements, such as depressions, grooves or beads, knurls and diamond-shaped knurling or grained surfaces^ joints and openings and other partial def orm.ations. Furthermore, it is possible to plug into the plates in accordance v;ith the invention pins, angle irons, hollow punches, hooks, anchors or other connecting elements that project from the plate surfaces or end faces and connection v;i-:h adjacent heat-conducting plates or other conponsnts. Complete coi'^-pcnents, preferably lightvreight components^ can also be prcducs^d from the heat-ccnducting plates in ^.ccordance with the invancion in conjunction v:ith standard materials pertaining to structural cjngineering. These composite compcnen-s comprise at least 6ne heat-conducting plate in accordance with the invention and at least one further ccmponen-, for example wooden boards, gypsum plaster boards, bricks, pumice, lime sandstone, fireclay bricks, tiles, cellular concrete scenes or slabs, Liapor stones, cr clinker• For "Che production of the above-mentioned composites made from heat-conducting plates of expanded graphite and the above-mentioned laitiinates or building materials, either the heat-conducting plate or/and the other constituent of the composite is provided wii;h an adhesive or another means that effects the adhesion of the composite partners, for example filler or building plaster or mortar cr another binding agent, on the sjurface that is. to be connected to the other respective material. Hov/ever, formv-locking connections between the individual constituents of the corr.posite are also possible, for example tongue-and-groove connections or snap connections/ such as, for example, resilient hooks- The heat-conducting plates in accordance with the invention are produced in a continuous process that includes the following basic steps: (i) pre-ccnpression of the expanded graphite material with optional post-compression to form a web of the desired density and thickness and (ii) rev/or king processes, if applicable, for coating, shaping and producing material composites, The reworking processes are advantageously effected as far as possible in a continuous manner on the web and cnly as far as is necessary in a discontinuous mannsr ^ en the plates cut to length from th^sj v:eb. In che case of the known procedure for producing graphite foil, the expanded graphite particles are guided over a pre-compressor and pairs of rollers/ as a rule "wo pairs of rollers, wiih the expanded rr.aterial being conT:inucusly supplied to rhe pre-compresscr. Arranged between the pairs of rollers there are heating zones in which che ir.a-erial is heated. The ternperarures in these heading regions are approximately 600*^0 and are used to displace the air cut of the material that is becoming denser. The expanded graphite material both in the ore-compressor and in the pairs of rollers experiences a directional effect of pressure that gives rise to parallel orientation of the layer planes in the graphite particles-. It is possible to obtain very thin foils (0.15 to 3 :w\ thick) with this method. Such sm.all thicknesses are not required for the heat-conducting plates in accordance with the invention. It has been shown that webs with a distinct orientation of the layer planes of the graphite are already obtained from expanded graphite material with a bulk density in the region of 2.5 to 5 g/1 by means of pre-cornpression between textile bands, that is, without further compression by pairs of rollers, The webs can be processed further, for example impregnated or coated, with other materials, when coming directly out nf hh^ Dre-comoressor. If applicable, carbon or metal fibres are added to the c-zpondod material, used as the starting matf^r-i;»" . befujLci it is passed to the ^re-compressor. If a plate thickness of only 10 to 15 rrzn and/cr a high material density (around 0.5 g/cm^ ) is required, however, it is expedient to guide the graphite web, coming continuoucly from the pre-compressor, further '-^etv/ee^ one and/or tvc pair? cf rolle'^s - '■-^'^ ^^'^ 0'?:^r.i ng betv;een -he pairs cf rollers also being possible thereby. Advantageously, this rcllinc process is conbined with the appllcazicn cf cover layers of other planar materials, such as, for example, non-woven fabrics, and papers, planar textile materials (vcven fabrics, layered fabrics, v/arp-knitted fabrics, knitted fabrics and similar) and also filns or foils of plastics material or netal. In the following stage of "he method, which follows on either continuously or discontinuously, the graphite vjebs tha- are obtained fron the continuous pre-compression process with optional post-coir.pression or the plates that are cut or punched ou-^ of these webs are brought inro the desired forrr. for use. This stage of the method cenerall^^ terrr.ed re'^^'O"^'*'"! ^f*T "^ *^ t"^?. following, includes a wide variety of processing processes, such as impregnation, coating, partial re-c^haping and/or compression cf the plates/webs in a cold-press rr.ethod, trironing, shaping by, for example, mechanically processing the webs/plates, eiTibedding heating pipes or wires and also the production of composite components consisting of the heat-conducting plates in accordance with nhs invention and common building materials. There is a wide variety of suitable methods available in accordance with the prior art fcr the production of impregnations and surface coalings. Impregnation can be effected by, for example, using "ihe dipping, spraying or printing method, using -he vacuum method or using a combination cf vacuum and printing methods and also in a fluidized 'oBd. !By Che term coating all processes are understood here ■ihat are used no co^^er the surface of the plaze in accordance wirh the invention with a layer of a different material. This material can not onlv be dissolved or dispersed in a fluid, cut can also be present in a pulverulent form and also as a planar laminate. Such coatings can be produced by, for example, pain-ing, varnishing, spraying, laminating or rolling-on methods, in which case in "hese methods, in contrast with zhe impregnaticn rr.ethcd, complete saturation of the incarior of the plaze in accordance v:ith the inven-ion does not -ake place. In a special embodiment of nhe invention the componeni:s are covered with a plastics melt. This takes place, for example, in a tempered fluidized bed, in an extrusion process or, if the plate size permits it, even in an injection-moulding process. Composites formed between the heat-conducting plates in c.ccordance with the invention and other laminates, such as paper webs, films, netal sheets, wood veneers, non-vfover. iabrics or planar textile formations or semifinished building products, such as polystyrene and •wooden boards, gypsum plaster boards, fireclay bricks, bricks, lime sandstone, oumice, tiles, cellular concrete stones or slabs or Liaoor stones, are produced by applying adhesives, binding agents, fillers, mortar and building plaster to one or both of the surfaces that are to be connected together or by constructing a form-locking connection between the materials, for example a tongue-and-groove connection or snap connections, such as resilient hooks. By means of cold-^press methods the graphite webs can again be shaped and compressed over their whole surface or partially by means of pairs of rollers or axscontinuoui^ly bv iu«c.:iG u- ^j-ei-tscs. Dy ui^cLiis? wl embossing rollers shaping can be carried out at the sam.e time for compression purposes, for example to produce grooves or beads, knurls and diamond-shaped knurling or grained surfaces. This can take place both before and after the application of cover layers. Suitable methods for producing grooves, join-s or openings are, for example, cutting, punching, embossing, milling, turning and planing- A particularly preferred n\e"hcd of mechanical processing is water-jez cutting. Alternatively; abrasive particle ~ez^ (sand blasts, spherules of fro2:en CO2) or laser beams can be used for processing. If applicable, functional corp.ponenzs, such as pipes for the distribution of a heat-carrier or heating wires, are also inuroduced at the reworking stage. Alrernatively, this can also take place directly in situ a- the construction site. Fleworking is effected discontinucusly in particular if coatings are produced from materials or composites with materials that are not available as rolled products, but only as plane products, for exanple metal sheets or plate products made from cardboard, gypsum and wood. The discontinuous procedure is also necessary if such surfaces that do not yet exist at all in the web obtained directly after compression,, such as the end faces of the plates that first develop when cutting the webs/cutting the plates to length, have to be coated or processed in another way. Furthermore, discontinuous reworking allows the work sequences to be separated in time and space. Exemplary embodiment 1 A v;eb having a thickness of 25 mm. was produced by continuously compressing pulverulent expanded graphite material between two textile bands. A sample that had a length and a width of in each case 30 cm was cut out from this web and the density of this sample was determined. A value of 0-027 g/om^ v;as ascertained. Moreover, the specific heat conductivity and the 3pecific electrical resistance of the sample were meas-jred in the x-, y- and z-direction. The results are compiled in Table 1. tjoth che slec-rical and the heat conductivity have distinct anisctropy. The ccnductior. of heat and ^ilectrical current is preferably efreotsd parallel to the plate surface, thaz is, along the graphite layer planes. Exemplary embodiment 2 Laminated co:::posite components, whose structure is iihown in Figure 2, were produced wir.h an area oz 30 X 70 err.. The laminated ccmposii:e comprises an 18 iTwm thick moulded fibre board 4, a ? mrr. thick heat-conducting plate 1 made from compressed ez^panded graphite material and a 1 mm. chick perforated sheet 5. "he moulded fibre board 4 on the rear side of the heat-conducting plate is used for hea"-insulation, the perforated sheet 5 on the fronr side being used to improve the visual effect. The moulded fibre board and heat-conducting plate were bonded together. The perforated sheet embraces the laminated composite on the longitudinal sides and is held fast by means of longitudinal slots 5, 6' in th.e moulded fibre board 4. This laminated composite is sui-able, for example, for the construction of an air-condi-cioning ceiling. Embedded in the surface of the heat-conducting plate 1 "hac is remote frorr. -he m.oulded fibre board 4 there is a pipe that is v;cund in the form of an Archimedean spiral 7 (called heating spiral 7 in the followinc), has a dianeter of 6 mm and is rr.ade from plastics naterial, zhe pipe being erafcedded in such a v/ay chat it ends so that it is flush v/ith the plate surface. The diameter of the outerrriosi: winding of the spiral c-mounted to 21 CITL. The spiral 7 was positioned eubstan-ially in the centre of the plate 1; that is, the distance of the outerir.cst ^^^indinc of the spiral "^ to the righu-hand edge of zhs plate 1 v;as approxirr.ately as great as "o the left-hand edge of -he plate 1, and the distance of the outerrr.ost winding of "he spiral zo the upper edge of the plate 1 was approximately as great as ro the lower edge of zhe plate 1. Figure 3 shows this heat-ccnduc'ing plare 1 in a plan view with zhe heating spiral 7 eap.bedded rhsrein. For comparison purposes, a laminated composite of ::he sane dimensions v;as produced that contained, instead cf the heat-conducting plate in accordance v/ith the invention, a gypsum plaster board with three heating spirals Esmbedded therein next zo one ancther and of the same size as the heating spiral installed in the graphine plate. Hot water at a temperature of 50*^0 flowed through the heating spirals in both test arrangements, "he change in the temperature distribution on the surfaces of both plates as a function of the duration of the through-flow cf hot water was tracked by means of infrared thermography. At the beginning of the test, both surfaces had a temperature of 25°C; temperature gradients over the surface could not be identified- The further time characteristics of the change in temperature of the plates in the region surrounded by the heating spiral and in the periphery thereof can be seen in Table 2. Clearly rr.ore rapid heating ar.d mere uniform te^iperatur* distribution are achieved in ths test arrangement v;ith r.h® heat-conducting pla'::e in accordance with ths invention, owing 1.0 the high laceral heat ccnducuivity of the expanded graphite, with just one heating spiral in contrast with the tast arrangement with a conventional gypsum plate and three heating spirals. List of Reference numerals 1,1' Heat-conducting plates 2 Pipe for the through-flow of a fluid heat-transporting medium 3 Space filled in with flooring plaster or ground graphite material 4 Moulded fibre board 5 Perforated sheet 6f 6' Longitudinal slots 7 Heating spiral Claims fre« compressed expanded graphite rr.aterial, characterised in ths" the heat conducricn parallel tc the plats surface is at leas- 50% higher than the r.e^z. conductivity perpendicularly tc the plate surface. 2. Lightweight heat-conducting pla-e according to clairr. 1, characterised in that the heat conductivity parallel tc the plate surface amounts tc at least 5.5 3. Ligh-wsight heat-conducting plate according to clain 1 or 2, characterised in that the thickness of the plate lies between 8 mm and 50 r:rri and the density of the plate material lies between 0,01 q/cto? and 0 .4 g/crci- . 4. Lightweighc heat-ccnducting plate according tc one of claims 1 -o 3, characterised in that the thickness of che plate lies between 15 mr. and 40 mn. 5. Lightweight heat-conducting plate according to one of claims 1 1:0 4, characterised in that the density of the plate material lies between 0.05 g/cm^ and 0,25 g/cm^ . 6. Lightweight heat-conducting plate according to one of the preceding claims^ characterised in that the plate has an impregnation. 7. Lightweight heat-conducting plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at leas*: one surface of the plate is completely or partly covered with a varnish or a elastics material. £ . Lightweight heat-conducting pla'::e according to one of the preceding claiins, charac-ericsed in that at least one surface of the pl&ze is ccmpletely or partly coaT:ed v/ith metal or plastics foil or filir., a perforated sheet, a textile flat-shaped article, v;ood veneer, non-Vvoven fabric, or piper. J. Lightweight heat-conducting plate according to one of the'preceding clairris, charactsrisjed in that at least one surface of the plate is completely or partly cca-red vri-h a heat-insulating material. IC. Lightweight hea-c-conducting picite according tc claim 9/ characterised in uhat the heat-insulating coating contains expanded polystyrene, polyure"hane, glass wool or rock wool, 11. Lightweight heat-conducting plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a- least one surface of the plaze is completely or partly coated v/ith filler buildincr—claster and floorincf—olaster-mortar or concrete masses. 12- Lightweight heat-conducting plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plate has at least one of the structural elements depressions, grooves, beads, knurls, diamond-shaped knurling, grained surfaces, joints and openings. 13- Lightweight heat-conducting plate according to one of the 'Or^viou? n' :z'\^ ^.. rhAr:^r'-fs^rn has pins, angle irons, hollow punches, hooks, anchors or other arrangements for establishing a force- or form-locking connection wizh another lightv:eight heat-conducting plate or another conponent. 14. Lighzwaight heat-conduc"ing plate according tc one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the iightv/eight heat-conducting plate contains pipes for the distribution of a fluid heat-carrier m'Sdium or vires for an electrical heating system. 15. Lightweight heat-conducting plaze according to clairTi 14 having pipes for the distribution of a fluid heat-carrier inediun, characterised in char th'^* pipes are embedded in the plate surface in such a way that the pipe wall ends 3o thac it is flush v;ith the plate surface. 15. Lightweight heat-conducting plate according to claim 14 having pipes for the distribution of a fluid heat-carrier r.iediuf., uad.i-a.cL«i:is-^d in that the pipes are embedded in the plate surface :.n such a way that a portion of the pipe circumference projects out from, the plate surface like a relief, 17. Com.posite consisting of t*^:o lightweight heat-conducting plates lying one on top of the other according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that pipes for the distribution of a fluid heat-carrier medium or wires fcr an electrical heating system are embedded betv?een the two plates, 18. Lightweight heat-conducting plate having heating wires for electrical heating according to claim 14, characterised in that the heating wires are errijedded in the plate surface. 19. Lightweight heat-conducting plate having heating wires for electrical heating according to claim 14, characterised in that the heating wires are laid on the plate surface. 2C. Ccmposite component fcr use in structural engineering^ comprising at least one lightweight heat-conducting plate according to cr,e cf claims 1 to 13 and a.t least one further ccnponant from the croup: wooden boards, gypsurA piaster boards, fireclay bricks^ tiles, cellular concrete stones or slabs, bricks, line sandstone, purice, Liapor stones, or clinker. 21. Composite component according to claim 20, characterised in that the components are connected together by means of an adhesive, an adhesior.^promcter or a binding agent. 22. Composite component according to claim 20, characterised in that the components are connected uogether in a form-loc: 23- Use of the lightweight heat-conducting plates or the composite components according to one of the preceding claims in floor-, ceiling- cr wall-heating systemLo or air-conditioning ceilings, for the transmission of heat and dissipation of heat in buildings, motor cars, in machines and installations cind in containers. 24. Method for the production of a lightweight heat-conducting plate according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that continuously supplied expanded graphite material is compressed in a pre-compressor betvjeen textile bands to form a web from which plates are cut to length to the desired sise- 25. Method according to claim 24, characterised in that the thickness of the web lies between 8 mm and 50 mm and the density-of the v/eb material lies between 0.01 g/cm^ and 0.5 q/cr.? . 26. iXIethod according to claim 24, characterised in •chat the web obtained in the pre-compressor is then subsequen-cly compressed betv^eer. pairs of rollers, with pre-conpression and pcsi:-corr.prsssion constituting a continuous process run. 27. Method according to claim 26, characterised in that rhe process of post-compression between pairs of rollers is combined v;ith the application of a coating. 2,8. Method according to one of clairriS 24 to 27, characterised in the" the pre-compressed and, if applicable, posc-conpressed web is impregna::ed and/or coated, v;ith the szeps of compression, if applicable post-co::apres3ion, and impregnation and/or coating consti-iiuting a continuous process run. 29. Method according to one of claims 24 to 2S, characterised in zha^ the webs or the plates cut to length therefrom are mechanically processed and sstructurad with a water jet, laser beam or an abrasive particle jet. 30, Method according to one of claims 24 to 29, characterised in that che webs cr the places cut to length therefrom are structured with embossing rollers. 31. Method according to one of claims 24 to 30, characterised in that t;he webs or the plaT:es cut to length therefrom are shaped and compressed by means of cold-pressing. 32, Me-chod according to one of claims 24 to 31, characterised in that pipes for the distribution cf a fluid heat-carrier medium are srriedded in the surfaces of the webs or uhe plazes cut to length therefrom- 33. A lightweight heat-conducting plate substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Documents:

0870-che-2004-other documents.pdf

870-CHE-2004 AMENDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION. 28-11-2013.pdf

870-CHE-2004 AMENDED CLAIMS 28-11-2013.pdf

870-CHE-2004 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 26-03-2013.pdf

870-CHE-2004 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 28-11-2013.pdf

870-CHE-2004 FORM-3 28-11-2013.pdf

870-CHE-2004 OTHER PATENT DOCUMENT 28-11-2013.pdf

870-CHE-2004 OTHERS 28-11-2013.pdf

870-CHE-2004 POWER OF ATTORNEY 28-11-2013.pdf

870-CHE-2004 AMENDED CLAIMS 06-03-2014.pdf

870-CHE-2004 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 20-01-2014.pdf

870-CHE-2004 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 06-03-2014.pdf

870-che-2004-abstract.pdf

870-che-2004-claims.pdf

870-che-2004-correspondnece-others.pdf

870-che-2004-description(complete).pdf

870-che-2004-drawings.pdf

870-che-2004-form 1.pdf

870-che-2004-form 26.pdf

870-che-2004-form 3.pdf

870-che-2004-form 5.pdf