Plasterboard lookalike building panel radiant heater
AssigneeLaminaHeat Holding Ltd.
InventorPeter J. Sajic
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heating panel including a thermally conductive (e.g. metal) layer, a laminar heating element disposed over a framing-facing side of the thermally conductive layer, an insulation layer disposed over the laminar heating element, and a room-facing surface layer disposed over at least the room-facing side of the thermally conductive layer. A method for heating a room may include installing at least one heating panel on a ceiling of the room and providing power to the heating element to generate heat that radiates into the room. The panel may be part of a heating system including a controller, such as a thermostat, for regulating power to the heating panel. A plurality of heating panels or a plurality of heating zones in one or more of the panels may be independently controllable.
Claims25
A heating panel having a framing-facing surface and a room-facing surface, the heating panel comprising:
- a thermally conductive layer having a room-facing side and a framing-facing side, wherein the thermally conductive layer comprises a tray having peripheral sidewalls, and wherein the thermally conductive layer comprises zinc-plated steel or galvanized steel;
- at least one laminar heating element disposed over the framing-facing side of the thermally conductive layer;
- an insulation layer disposed over the at least one laminar heating element;
- a primarily room-facing surface layer applied to at least the room-facing side of the thermally conductive layer, wherein the primarily-room-facing surface layer wraps around the peripheral sidewalls of the tray and defines at least a peripheral portion of the framing-facing surface of the heating panel;
- and
- a power cord connected to the laminar heating element and configured to connect to a power source.
A method for heating a room, comprising the steps of:
- a) installing at least one heating panel on a ceiling of the room, the heating panel having a framing-facing surface and a room-facing surface, the heating panel comprising:
- a thermally conductive layer having a room-facing side and a framing-facing side, wherein the thermally conductive layer comprises a tray having peripheral sidewalls, and wherein the thermally conductive layer comprises zinc-plated steel or galvanized steel;
- at least one laminar heating element disposed over the framing-facing side of the thermally conductive layer;
- an insulation layer disposed over the at least one laminar heating element;
- a primarily room-facing surface layer applied to at least the room-facing side of the thermally conductive layer, wherein the primarily-room-facing surface layer wraps around the peripheral sidewalls of the tray and defines at least a peripheral portion of the framing-facing surface of the heating panel;
- and
- a power cord connected to the laminar heating element and configured to connect to a power source;
- and
- b) providing power to the at least one heating element to generate heat that radiates into the room.
A heating panel having a framing-facing surface and a room-facing surface, the heating panel comprising:
- a thermally conductive layer having a room-facing side and a framing-facing side, wherein the thermally conductive layer comprises a tray having peripheral sidewalls, and wherein the thermally conductive layer comprises steel;
- at least one laminar heating element disposed over the framing-facing side of the thermally conductive layer, the laminar heating element comprising a resistive sheet comprising randomly oriented carbon fibers in a non-woven, wet-laid layer and having at least two conductive busbars;
- an insulation layer disposed over the at least one laminar heating element;
- a protective framing-facing surface layer disposed over the insulation layer and defining at least an inner portion of the framing-facing surface of the heating panel;
- a primarily-room-facing surface layer comprising a paper or polymeric coating applied to at least the room-facing side of the thermally conductive layer, wherein the paper or polymeric coating wraps around the peripheral sidewalls of the tray and defines at least a peripheral portion of the framing-facing surface of the heating panel;
- a power cord connected to the laminar heating element and configured to connect to a power source;
- a plurality of holes extending from the room-facing surface of the heating panel to the framing-facing surface of the heating panel through the peripheral portion of the framing-facing surface layer defined by the paper or polymeric coating, the plurality of holes dimensioned to receive a fastener for fastening the heating panel to framing of a building;
- and
- an electrical enclosure cutout defined in the insulation layer, wherein the power cord connects to the at least two busbars of the laminar heating element within the electrical enclosure, and the electrical enclosure includes a cover arranged flush with the framing-facing surface of the heating panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.