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US 7,880,121 B2Granted
Modular radiant heating apparatus
OwnerDavid Naylorinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus, system, and method provide radiant heat. A planar electrical heating element converts electrical energy to heat energy. A planar heat spreading layer is in contact with the planar electrical heating element, drawing the heat energy out of the planar electrical heating element and distributing the heat energy. A finishing layer is disposed to one side of the planar heat spreading layer. A thermal isolation layer is disposed to an opposite side of the planar heat spreading layer as the finishing layer. Heat from the planar heat spreading layer conducts away from the thermal isolation layer and toward the finishing layer. An electric power coupling is connected to the electrical heating element to supply electrical power.
Claims26
A radiant heating apparatus, comprising:
- a planar electrical heating element configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy;
- a planar carbon-based heat spreading layer comprising a laminate graphite sheet that is positioned in direct physical contact with the planar electrical heating element and which is also configured to draw the heat energy out of the planar electrical heating element and to distribute the heat energy;
- a construction layer disposed to one side of the planar heat spreading layer, the construction layer being positioned in direct physical contact with the planar heat spreading layer, the construction layer comprising an installed construction surface that includes at least one of a floor, a roof, a wall or a ceiling layer of a structure;
- a thermal isolation layer disposed to an opposite side of the planar heat spreading layer than the construction layer such that heat from the planar heat spreading layer conducts away from the thermal isolation layer toward the construction layer;
- and
- an electric power coupling connected to the electrical heating element to supply electrical power.
3 more elements
A portable pliable radiant heating apparatus, comprising:
- a pliable planar electrical heating element configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy;
- a heat spreading layer that is at least partially in direct contact with the pliable planar electrical heating element and that is configured to draw the heat energy out of the pliable planar electrical heating element and to distribute the heat energy within a longitudinal plane of the pliable planar heat spreading layer the heat spreading layer being composed of a laminate graphite sheet;
- a thermal isolation layer positioned below the pliable planar heat spreading layer such that heat from the planar heat spreading layer conducts away from the thermal isolation layer;
- a top pliable outer layer and a bottom pliable outer layer joined to enclose the pliable planar heat spreading layer and the thermal isolation layer for durable protection in an outdoor environment, wherein the top pliable outer layer comprises a first side of the top pliable outer layer that is at least partially in direct contact with the thermal isolation layer and a second side of the top pliable outer layer that is exposed and uncovered by any layered structure of the heating apparatus and wherein the bottom pliable outer layer is at least partially in direct contact with the heat spreading layer with a first side of the bottom pliable outer layer, the outer layer including a second side of the bottom pliable outer layer that is also exposed and uncovered by any layered structure of the heating apparatus, such that the second side of the top pliable outer layer and the second side of the bottom pliable outer layer define an outermost shell of the portable pliable radiant heating apparatus;
- and
- an electric power coupling connected to the electrical heating element to supply electrical power.
3 more elements
A system for providing radiant heat, comprising:
- a core radiant heating sheet configured to provide heat to a portion of a room;
- one or more filler radiant heating apparatuses configured to provide heat to smaller portions of the room than the core radiant heating sheet, coupled electrically to the core radiant heating apparatus to form an electric circuit;
- wherein the core radiant heating sheet and the filler radiant heating sheets are selected from a set of radiant heating sheets, each radiant heating sheet having a predefined size, each radiant heating sheet comprising:
- a pliable multilayered electrical heating element configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy;
- a planar carbon-based heat spreading layer, comprising a laminate graphite sheet in direct physical contact with the pliable multilayered electrical heating element and which is configured to draw the heat energy out of the pliable multilayered electrical heating element and to distribute the heat energy;
- and
- an electric power coupling connected to the pliable multilayered electrical heating element to supply electrical power;
- construction layer disposed to one side of the core radiant heating sheet, at least partially in direct physical contact with the core radiant heating sheet, and the filler radiant heating sheets, the construction layer comprising at least one of a wall, a floor, a roof or a ceiling;
- a thermal isolation layer disposed to an opposite side of the core heating sheet and the filler radiant heating sheets as the construction layer such that heat from the core radiant heating sheet and the filler radiant heating sheets conduct heat away from the thermal isolation layer and toward the construction layer;
- a power supply configured to supply the core radiant heating sheet and the filler radiant heating sheets with standard electrical power voltages, the electric circuit protected by a standard size electrical breaker;
- and
- a temperature control module, which includes a thermostat, configured to regulate the electrical power supplied to the core radiant heating sheet and the filler radiant heating sheets by the power supply.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.