GB2424366A

GB2424366A - Sauna heated by hot water conduit in wall

Info

Publication number: GB2424366A
Application number: GB0505714A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Julian Jan F Macphail
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-03-21
Filing date: 2005-03-21
Publication date: 2006-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2025-03-21
Also published as: GB2424366B; GB0505714D0

Abstract

A sauna has at least one of its internal surfaces heated by heated fluid. The fluid is preferably in a conduit 1 and may comprise a panel embedded in or in thermal contact with a structural element 2 such as a wall of the sauna. The heated fluid conduit is preferably located in the space between two layers of at least semi-transparent sheets. The heat source for the heated fluid may or may not be from the circuit of a wet central heating system.

Description

* 2424366 THIS INVENTION RELATES TO IMPROVEMENTS IN SAUNA HEATING.

It has been common practice to use electrically heated stoves to heat the air in a sauna.

The heated air and the subsequently heated structure of the sauna produce the long wave infra red radiation that causes increased sub-dermal circulation and increased metabolic rate that is perceived to produce health benefits.

in recent developments the stove has been substituted for the production of low-grade, long wave infra red radiation by reflectively housed quartz tube type heating elements or by incorporating semi-conducting heating film on the inner surface of the sauna to pioduce sensible heat on the body's surface by radiating infra red heat onto it.

In the case of stove heated saunas the stove surfaces have dangerously high touch temperatures requiring a protective housing to prevent burns. The stove and its safety guard take up a considerable space within the sauna and being usually electrically heated has a high running cost. The very high air temperatures produced by stove type saunas may be detrimental to the health of those with respiratory problems.

The quartz tube type saunas while benefiting from more comfortable lower air temperatures can have high touch temperature risks and while saving on floor space by being incorporated in the walls can reduce the available sitting space. In multiple * occupancy saunas the benefit of tue heating effect of long wave infra red radiating from the quartz elements will be blocked if the body of one person is interposed with any of the quartz elements.

The semi-conductive heating film type sauna heaters overcome the above problems but are expensive to produce and being on the inner surface are susceptible to physical damage. In common with the other electrical units the semi-conductive heating film type suffers from high running costs and the need for costly electrical safety features.

It is the object of the present invention to eliminate or improve on the above problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a sauna having at least one of its surfaces formed by or heated by at least one heated fluid embedded panel.

Preferably the embedded panel has at least one heated fluid conduit embedded in or in thermal contact with the structural element of the sauna.

Conveniently the embedded panel may be formed by a structural element of the sauna.

Advantageously the heated fluid conduit of the embedded panel may be formed by the space between two layers of at least semi transparent sheets.

Preferably the heat source for the heated fluid conduit for the embedded panel is a circuit from a wet central heating system.

Alternatively the source for the supply of heated fluid for the heated fluid conduit for the embedded panel is from a heated fluid system other than a wet central heating system.

Conveniently the heat source to the embedded panel is temperature regulated by a commercially available proportional thermostatically mixed under-floor type heating system control and or thermostatically controlled zone valve and or pump.

Alternatively the heat source to the embedded panel is temperature regulated by an on/off thermostatic control.

To aid understanding the present invention will now be described by example with reference to the following drawing in which:- Drawing I Is a diagrammatic representation of a sauna having a heated fluid conduit embedded within or in thermal contact with at least one structural element.

Drawing 2 Is a diagrammatic representation of a section through an embedded panel of: :::* a sauna having a heated fluid conduit embedded within a structural element as shown in Drawingl.

Drawing 3 Isa diagrammatic representation of a section through an embedded panel of the sauna having a heated fluid conduit in thermal contact with a structural element as shown inDrawing I. I...

Drawing 4 Is a diagrammatic representation of the heated fluid conduit formed by the space between two layers of at least semi transparent sheets as may be used as windows or doors.

Drawing 5 Is a diagrammatic representation of a section through the heated fluid conduit formed by the space between two layers of at least semi transparent sheets as shown in Drawing 4.

Referring firstly to drawing 1. there is shown a heated fluid conduit I. that is embedded in or in thermal contact with at least one structural element 2. the heated fluid being typically water circulated from a heating system (not shown) is conveniently regulated in temperature and distributed by a manifold set 7. and thermostatic controls (not shown) of a type close to that used in a conventional under-floor heating system. Although the conduit 1 is shown in a horizontal zig-zag orientation this does not preclude vertical zig- zag (shown dotted) or spiral (not shown) configurations. Although the conduit I. is shown together with a dotted example (not numbered) heating two walls any number of walls with or without floor and ceiling may be heated with a fluid heated conduit 1. to reach the desired heating effect required.

Referring to Drawing 2. there is shown a section through the wall that forms the structural element 2. shown in Drawing I. having a conduit 1. embedded in routed groves 3. within and heating the structural element. Conventionally the structural element is formed from wooden panels though other materials deemed suitable may be substituted.

An insulating layer 5. and outer structural element 6. are useful components.

Referring to Drawing 3. there is shown a section through a wall that forms the structural element 2. shown in Drawing 1. having a conduit 1. within a moulded recess in a conductive sheet 4 to improve the spred of heat from the conduit to the structural element 2. As in Drawing 2. insulation 5. and outer structural element 6. are shown.

Refering to Drawing 4. there is shown a sauna having a window 13. and a door 14.

having flow and return conduits Ii. and 12. enabling the window 13. and door 14. to form heated structural elements. These may be used as well as or instead of other heated structural elements.

Refering to Drawing 5. there is shown a section through the window 13. and or door 14.

shown in Drawing 4. having a heated fluid conduit formed by the space between an inner layer 8.and a further layer 9. this space is sealed by a seal 10. round its perimeter and has * :..

flow and return conduits 11. and 12. connecting into the space between inner layer 8. and layer 9. and outer layer 15. with an air space and seal 10 reduces heat loss. Although the * window and door have been described as having a fluid filled space to radiate heat into the sauna a zig-zag or other configuration of heated fluid conduit may be substituted between the layer 8. and layer 9. The door form would be provided with flexible pipe connections from the heating system to the permit its unhindered movement.

Although the sauna incorporating the above invention has been drawn as the commonly available cabin type this does not preclude its use in a fully built-in structure with the heated fluid conduit being built into plaster or plasterboard walls and or ceilings and or cement or timber floors or into other structural materials.

Although the heat source for the above has been described as being from a wet central heating system any suitable source of heated fluid for example from solar heated thermal store, electrically heated water cylinder indirectly heated plate heat exchanger etc. 1'

Claims

1. A sauna having at least one of its internal surfaces formed by or heated by at least one heated fluid embedded panel.

2. A sauna according to claim 1 having at least one fluid conduit embedded in or in thermal contact with at least one structural element of the sauna.

3. A sauna according to claim 1 having where the said embedded panel is formed by at least one structural element of the sauna

4. A sauna according to the preceding claims having the heated fluid conduit of the embedded panel formed by the space between two layers of at least semi transparent sheets.

5. A sauna according to the preceding claims where the heat source for the heated fluid in the conduit of the embedded panel is from a circuit of a wet central heating system.

6. A sauna according to claims 1 to 4 where the heat source for the heated fluid in the conduit of the embedded panel is from a heated fluid system other than a wet central heating system.