GB2467962A

GB2467962A - Panel for use with a heating/cooling system

Info

Publication number: GB2467962A
Application number: GB0903014A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Mcconnell; Chris Ingram
Original assignee: BMCI Ltd
Current assignee: BMCI Ltd
Priority date: 2009-02-24
Filing date: 2009-02-24
Publication date: 2010-08-25
Also published as: GB0903014D0

Abstract

A panel with a set 215 of at least one groove extending through opposite sides of the panel, and another set 220 of at least one groove extending through opposite sides of the panel, perpendicular to the first set. Each array may have more than one groove, and curved grooves 230 may connect grooves from both sets. The panel may be a floor/wall/ceiling panel and is for use in heating or cooling systems, for example an underfloor heating system, with the heating or cooling elements located in the grooves. In use, a plurality of panels [410-419, Fig. 7] can be joined to form an array, with heat exchange means [470, Fig. 7] being provided in the grooves. The panels may be cut as necessary. The heat exchange means [470] may have a serpentine form within the grooves of the panel array.

Description

Panel for use with a heating/cooling system The present invention relates to a panel for use with a heating or cooling system, a heating/cooling system and a method of installing a heating/cooling system. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a panel for use with an underiloor heating system.

The panel may be considered to be a radiant surface for heating/cooling.

Throughout this specification the term "heating" and its associated terminology will be used. However, it is to be understood that it could be replaced with the term "cooling" and its associated terminology in almost all occurrences since the arrangement and operation of a cooling system is similar to that of a heating system.

Undertloor heating systems are well known. Such systems typically comprise either an electric wire or a fluid in a pipe underneath a floor covering. The wire is heated by passing electricity through it and the fluid is heated prior to being passed through the pipe. Heat dissipation then occurs through the floor to warm the space above. It is possible to use such systems in walls and ceilings too.

There are many different arrangements for the location of the pipe or wire. For instance, the pipe or wire may be slung underneath a floor, or it may be embedded within a floor, or it may be arranged on the surface of one floor and covered with another floor, such as a concrete deck covered by slabs of insulation including the pipe or wire, the slabs of insulation then covered by timber sheets.

One known way is to arrange the pipe or wire in a groove on the underside of a panel or sheet of timber, such as floor-grade chipboard. The floor is covered with at least one of these panels, not all necessarily including grooves, to form a sub-floor.

Another floor covering such as solid wood boards, vinyl, carpet, ceramic tiles etc. may then be laid over this sub-floor.

Another known way is to arrange the pipe or wire in a groove on the uppermost side of a panel or sheet of timber, such as floor-grade chipboard. The floor is covered with at least one of these panels, not all necessarily including grooves, to form a sub-floor. A screed may then be laid over the top of this sub-floor. Alternatively or additionally, another floor covering such as solid wood boards, vinyl, carpet, ceramic tiles or other combination of finishes may then be laid or installed over the screed or sub-floor.

I

The groove present within the panel is typically arranged in a serpentine form and either pre-formed with a router or similar tool, or routed in-situ after installation of the sheets. For the former, there is a risk of the groove in one panel not aligning with the groove in an adjacent panel during installation of the sub-floor thus requiring additional routing on site which may lead to a weakening of the strength of panels. For the latter, although the problem of grooves not aligning between adjacent panels is addressed, there is additional router work for the installer.

Accordingly, it is desirable to have a panel with pre-formed grooves that permit panels to be laid adjacent one another to form a sub-floor with the grooves between adjacent panels aligned.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a panel for use with a heating or cooling system, comprising a first array of at least one groove and a second array of at least one groove, said grooves provided in one or more surfaces of the panel, wherein said at least one groove of said first array extends through two substantially opposite first sides of the panel and said at least one groove of said second array extends through two substantially opposite second sides of the panel, the grooves of the first array extending substantially perpendicular to the grooves of the second array.

The term "one or more surfaces of the panel" refers to the relatively large area planar surfaces of the panel, as opposed to the relatively small area narrow sides of the panel.

The terms "two substantially opposite first sides of the panel" and "two substantially opposite second sides of the panel" refer to the relatively small area narrow sides of the panel which lie in planes substantially perpendicular to the relatively large area planar surfaces of the panel. If the panel was substantially rectangular and oblong in plan then the two substantially opposite first sides of the panel may be the two long sides and the two substantially opposite second sides of the panel may be the two short sides. If the panel was substantially hexagonal in plan then the two substantially opposite first and second sides of the panel may be any combination of two of the six sides. The underlying concept is that at least one groove in each array extends to and through the perimeter of the panel. This allows for a continuous pipe or wire to be installed on adjacent panels. However, it is not necessary that all grooves extend to the perimeter of the panel.

The term "substantially perpendicular" may include an angle, lying in the plane of the relatively large area planar surfaces of the panel, being in the range 20 to 90 degrees, more preferably in the range 45 to 90 degrees and even more preferably in the range 80 to 90 degrees.

The provision of two arrays of grooves permits the installer an almost infinite number of routes in which to fit the pipe or wire. In this way, the installer can tailor the installation to the specific required circumstances with only minimal, or possibly no, routing of any of the panels on site.

The grooves may be substantially rectilinear. However, other linear shapes are possible. If non-rectilinear shapes are provided then the term "substantially perpendicular", as described above, may be as measured between the general direction of each array. The grooves forming the first array may be substantially parallel to one another. The grooves forming the second array may be substantially parallel to one another.

The at least one groove of the first array and the at least one groove of the second array may, or may not, intersect one another.

Either, or both, of the first and second arrays may have only one groove each or may have more than one groove each. For instance, the grooves may be arranged across the entire surface of the panel at regular or irregular intervals. The intervals may lie in the range 50 to 150mm, more preferably 75mm, centre to centre, however other intervals are contemplated. In one embodiment, the panel may include three grooves in the first array and eight grooves in the second array.

Either one, or both, of the first and second arrays may have at least one groove provided towards one end of the panel and at least one groove provided towards the opposite end of the panel with no grooves provided therebetween. For instance, a rectangular panel, in the shape of an oblong, may have a first array of grooves arranged substantially regularly across the relatively large planar surface, for the entire width of the panel, and lying longitudinally (i.e. substantially parallel with the long side of the panel). A second array may comprise a first set of three grooves arranged regularly and transversely across the relatively large planar surface of the panel (i.e. substantially parallel with the short side of the panel), and a second set of three grooves arranged regularly and transversely across the relatively large planar surface of the panel (i.e. substantially parallel with the short side of the panel). The two sets may be arranged at, or towards, opposite longitudinal ends of the panel. The panel may have no other grooves lying parallel to these six grooves and located between these two sets of grooves. Other variations are possible, such as on'y one set of grooves in the second array, positioned towards one longitudinal end of the panel, other numbers of grooves in each set, and more than two sets of grooves. It is also possible that the first array comprises sets of grooves located at differing positions on the relatively large planar surface of the panel.

The panel may further comprise at least one curved groove interconnecting at least two grooves of the first and/or second array. In this way a pipe or wire may be laid along one groove and then around the curve and back along a second groove. The two grooves may be immediately adjacent one another or may be separated by at least one other groove. Further curved sections may be provided to link up more grooves such that a continuous pipe may be installed in a serpentine manner across the surface of a panel. The curves groove may interconnect two grooves of the first array, or two grooves of the second array, or one groove of the first and one groove of the second array.

The curved groove(s) may be substantially semi-circular.

Arrays of curved grooves may be arranged on either or both of the relatively large planar surfaces of the panel. For instance, if the panel is oblong, an array of curved grooves may be arranged at, or towards, one or both longitudinal ends of the panel connecting the array of grooves lying longitudinally across the surface of the panel. Alternatively, or additionally, the array of curved grooves may be arranged at, or towards, one or both transverse ends of the panel such that the array of grooves lying transversely across the surface of the panel may be connected.

Although the panel is described herein as being a rectangle in the form of an oblong, other regular shapes are possible, such as square, hexagonal, octagonal, triangular, "T" shape and "L" shape. Moreover, panels having irregular shapes are possible.

In this connection, the panels may have a thickness in the range 12mm to 40mm. For the installation of wires, a different thickness such as 18mm is possible.

The grooves may have a square-cut profile, or may have a rounded base, the diameter of which is similar to the diameter of pipe to be installed.

The grooves may have a square-cut opening such that the sides of the grooves are substantially perpendicular to the outwardly presented surface of the panel substantially over their entire height. Alternatively, the grooves may have at least one lip or rim projecting inwardly at the top (i.e. adjacent the outwardly presented surface) so that the pipe has to be snapped into place but is then held in place by the lip.

The panels may include connection means for connecting adjacent panels together. For instance, the panels may include tongues and/or grooves along at least one edge. Other means of connection are contemplated. Alternatively, the panels may be placed immediately adjacent one another and be affixed to a support structure, such as joists in the case of a floor or ceiling, or a stud partition in the case of a wall.

The panel may include a heating or cooling element provided in at least one groove. The diameter of the element if pipes are used may lie in the range 8mm to 12mm.

As already mentioned, the panel may be one of a floor panel, a wall panel, and a ceiling panel.

The grooves of the first and/or second array may be provided on the inner and/or outwardly presented surface of the panel. In this regard the term "inner surface" refers to the side of the pane! not visible once installed. For instance, if the panel is a floor panel then the inner surface is the underside. However, if the panel is a ceiling panel then the inner surface is the upper side. Finally, if the panel is a wall panel then the inner surface is the surface adjacent the sub-structure upon which the panel is installed.

Conversely, the term "outwardly presented surface" refers in a door to the uppermost surface, in a ceiling to the lowermost surface and in a wall to the surface being nearest to the inside of the room and furthest from the sub-structure upon which the panel is installed.

The panel may include other arrays of grooves. For instance if the panel is hexagonal there may be three arrays of grooves, each array crossing the relatively large planar surface of the panel and "connecting" each of the three pairs of opposite sides.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a heating/cooling system comprising a source of heating or cooling, heat exchange means provided in at least one groove in at least one panel, the panel being in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, and connection means for connecting the source of heating or cooling to the heat exchange means.

The heating/cooling system may be an underuloor heating system. The panel may be a floor panel with the grooves provided on its uppermost surface and the heat exchange means being a pipe for carrying a heated fluid.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a method of installing a heating/cooling system comprising the steps of providing a plurality of panels, the panels being in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention; joining said panels together to form an array of panels; providing a heat exchange means in at least one groove in said array of panels; and connecting the heat exchange means to a source of heating or cooling.

The term "joining said panels together" may mean using connection means such as tongue and grooves, or it may mean placing panels adjacent one another with or without the panels being affixed to a support structure.

The method may further comprise a step of covering the array of panels. In this connection, the term "array of panels" may be considered to be a sub-floor.

The method may further comprise the step of cutting each panel, as necessary, to the required size, and using tile off-cut(s) elsewhere it1 the array of panels such that at least one groove in each off-cut or uncut panel aligns with at least one groove in an adjacent off-cut or uncut panel.

Because each panel has at least two arrays of grooves, each off-cut may also comprise grooves thus increasing the chances that the off-cut may be used without routing being required to connect up the grooves between the panels. If the grooves are regularly spaced throughout the panels then the chances that the off-cuts may be used without routing being required to connect up the grooves between the panels is increased. In this way, wastage of panels/materials may be minimised and the ease with which the heat exchange means may be installed is increased.

The heat exchange means may be a substantially continuous element provided in a serpentine form in one or more grooves in one or more panels.

The term "panel" or "sheet" used herein may be comprised of particles, such as MDF or wood chips and may be homogenous in that its structure is uniform throughout the thickness of the panel or sheet. However, the structure may not be uniform. For instance, it may have outer layers, lying in the plane of the outwardly presented surface, and an inner core. The outer layers may have a greater or lesser strength than the inner core. Alternatively, or additionally, the panel or sheet may comprise a base panel or sheet, as described above, with additional pieces adhered to the outwardly presented surface to create the grooves. In other words, the grooves may not be cut into the base panel or sheet but instead may be formed within another layer of pieces adhered to the outwardly presented surface. The pieces may be cut from another base-like panel or sheet.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a panel according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a panel according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of a panel according to yet another embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a view of one end of the panel of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the panel of Figures 3 and 4; Figure 6 is a plan view of two panels according to a different embodiment of the invention, including a heat exchange element; Figure 7 is a plan view of a floor including panels according to a further embodiment of the invention, including a heat exchange element; and Figures 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views through panels showing alternative groove arrangements and each including a pipe.

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the si2e of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

It is to be noticed that the term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" sliould not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device areAandB.

Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term "connected", used in the description, should not be interpreted as being restricted to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device A connected to a device B" should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Connected" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical, electrical, optical or radio frequency contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may refer to different embodiments.

Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this

disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of

this description.

The invention will now be described by a detailed description of several embodiments of the invention. It is clear that other embodiments of the invention can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

In Figure 1 a panel 10 is shown in plan view. The panel may be 2400mm long by 600mm wide and have a thickness of 26mm. The panel 10 has a first array 15 of grooves cut wiclthwavs or transversely across the surface in view. The panel 10 also has a second array 20 of grooves cut lengthways or longitudinally across the surface in view.

The two arrays are substantially perpendicular to one another iii the plane of the panel.

The grooves are shown as being regularly spaced throughout the length and width of the panel 10. However, other arrangements are possible. In use, a heat exchange element may be inserted into the grooves and, if the element is sufficiently pliable and the grooves sufficiently wide enough, could be formed into a serpentine form back and forth through the grooves, turning through two sets of 90 degree bends at each longitudinal end.

However, if the element is not sufficiently pliable and/or the grooves sufficiently wide enough, then so-called "returns" could be routed to connect up grooves. Such returns are typically semi-circular in form. The returns may have a radius of curvature of 37.5mm. An example may be seen in Figure 2 where a panel 110 includes a first array 115 of grooves running transversely across the surface of the panel and a second array 120 of grooves running longitudinally across the surface of the panel.

At one longitudinal end returns 130 are arranged. These provide routes for "connecting" two alternate grooves (i.e. installing a heat exchange element into both the grooves such that the element lies in a return 130 to turn 180 degrees between the two grooves).

Half-returns 135 are arranged at either side widthways) of the panel 110. These will only turn an element through 90 degrees. These allow panels to be placed adjacent one another such that two half-returns 135 form a 180 degree turn.

Although shown with the returns 130 at only one longitudinal end of the panel it should be understood that they may also be present at the other longitudinal end of the panel 110. Furthermore, although shown connecting up some of the grooves in the second array 120 it should be understood that they could alternatively, or additionally be arranged to connect up some of the grooves in the first array 115. Yet further, although shown as connecting alternate grooves 120 the returns 130 could be arranged to connect adjacent grooves or any other combination thereof.

An alternative panel 210 is shown in Figure 3. This panel includes a first array 215 of grooves running transversely across the surface of the panel 210 and a second array 220 of grooves running longitudinally across the surface of the panel 210.

However, in this embodiment, there are only three grooves present in the first array 215 and they are all located towards one longitudinal end of the panel 210. Three rows of returns 230 are present adjacent this first array 215 connecting up adjacent grooves in the second array 220. Half-returns are provided at the extreme sides widthways) of the panel 210 in a similar manner and for a similar purpose as described above with regard to Figure 2.

An end view of the panel 210 is shown in Figure 4. It is a view along the longitudinal length of the panel 210, or it could be considered to be a cross-sectional view looking longitudinally along the panel 210. It shows the grooves in the second array 220.

A perspective view of the panel 210 is shown in Figure 5. It includes the same features using the same reference numerals as in Figures 3 and 4 and therefore no further discussion of this Figure is necessary.

One example of how panels according to the invention may be used is shown in Figure 6. This view shows a first panel 310A and a second panel 310B. The two panels 310A, 310B have been placed adjacent one another such that their edges on their shorter sides are abutted. The grooves in the second array 320A on the first panel 31 OA align with the grooves in the second array 320B on the second panel 3 lOB. Both panels also comprise a first array 315A, 315B in a similar manner to that described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

A return 330A is provided on the first panel 310A and two returns 330B are provided on the second panel 310B.

A heat exchange element in the form of a pipe 370 has been inserted into four of the grooves in each of the second arrays 320A,320B of the two panels 310A,310B such that it has four lengths stretching substantially for the whole length of the two panels 310A, 310B. There are three commensurate 180 degree bends; one at the left hand end in the figure and two at the right hand end of the figure. These are achieved by use of the returns 330A,330B.

It will be evident to the skilled person that many different arrangements of the pipe route are possible. For instance, assuming appropriate returns are provided, the pipe 370 could be installed such that it has several lengths running widthways/transverselv across the panels 310A,310B (i.e. up/down as opposed to left to right in the figure shown). Other possibilities are a different number of lengths (i.e. more or less than four) across the longitudinal length of the two panels 310A,310B.

The pipe 370 is connected to a flow 350 and return 360 conduit at each end thereof. In the present example both the flow 350 and return 360 conduits are provided at the left hand end of the first panel 310A. These conduits 350,360 are installed each in one grooves of the first array 315A of the first panel 310A. The conduits 350,360 lead to a source of heat, or alternatively could connect to another panel (not shown).

In the present example, the first panel 31 OA is a complete panel as manufactured and the second panel 310B is a part panel. In other words a second complete panel has been cut such that its width remains unchanged but its length has been reduced. This may have been effected so as to fit into a required space.

The off-cut of the second complete panel 310B may be re-used elsewhere in the installation. For instance, it may be used in an adjacent second row of panels in this regard the two panels shown 310A,310B are considered to form a first row.

This is exemplified in Figure 7 which shows the plan view of a room 400. The installer has started by placing a complete standard panel 410 in the upper left hand corner. No cuts are required as there is sufficient space to install it. This is because the floor area of the room 400 is larger than the surface area of one standard panel 410.

The installer has then cut a second panel 411 to fit into the space left between the first panel 410 and the edge of the room 400. The off-cut 412 from this second panel 411 has been used in the next adjacent row so that it lies adjacent the first panel 410. However, because the off-cut 412 is not long enough to reach the opposite end of the room in that row another panel 413 has been placed adjacent to it 412. This panel 413 is a complete panel equivalent in size to the first panel 410. Accordingly, no cuts have to be made to it. However, even with this second panel 413 the row has still not been completed as there is still a gap between the edge of the panel 413 and the room's 400 limit. Consequently, the installer has installed another panel 414 between the edge of the panel 413 and the room's 400 limit. This panel 414 has to be cut as a standard panel 410 is too large.

The off-cut 413 from this panel 414 is then used in the next row down, and back at the left hand edge of the room 400. Again, however, another complete panel 416 has to be placed adjacent to it (415) and another cut panel 417 adjacent to that (416) to complete the row.

This is repeated in the next row such that the off-cut 418 from the panel 417 is used in the next row down. Finally, a last section 419 of panel is placed in the last gap remaining in the lower right hand corner of the room 400 to complete the floor. This last row 418,419 had also had to be cut lengthways to reduce their widths commensurate with the size of the room 400.

To summarise, the installation of the panels has been effected such that the installer starts in the top left hand corner and works along a first row from left to right.

At the completion of each row the installer starts again at the left hand end of the next row using the off-cut, if any, from the last panel used in the preceding row. In this way, wastage is minirnised and no joints between adjacent boards will lie concurrently in the widthways direction of the panels. In other words, the panels are placed in a brick-bond style similar to that used in wall building. This improves the structural integrity of the floor.

Although not shown, each panel 410-419 includes a first array and a second array of grooves. As the grooves in each panel will align with the grooves in all adjacent panels a continuous route across the entire surface of the floor may be achieved.

However, if an off-cut 412,415,418 from one row is placed in the next row and the grooves running transversely across the surface of the panels do not align then a further cut may have to be made transversely across the off-cut 412,415,418 to ensure that the grooves do align between panels. If the grooves running transversely are located at regular and frequent intervals then only a relatively small amount of panel may be wasted in this manner.

Also, although not shown, returns may be provided, as described above, on the panels to allow the heat exchange element to turn through 180 degrees. If such returns are not present, or an installer desires a return where one is not present then additional returns may be routed in-situ. The present invention thus provides the installer with the ability to choose the route for the heat exchange means with minimal or no routing required on site.

The installer may then install the heat exchange element, across the surface of the floor of the room 400. In the example shown the heat exchange element is a pipe 470. It has ten straight longitudinal lengths and nine 180 degree turns. The pipe lies in the second array of grooves provided in each panel. A flow 450 and a return 460 are shown connecting the ends of the pipe 470. However, the pipe 450,460, 470 may be one continuous length or may be one pipe 470 and two other pipes 450,460 connected using well-known connection means or joints. The joint may lie within the grooves.

However, the grooves may have to be widened slightly to permit the joints to lie within the thickness of the panel in question.

The flow and return 450,460 pipes are shown installed in transverse grooves across panels 410,412,415,418 leading to the edge of the room 400 for connection to the heat supply means.

One example of a cross-section of a groove 315 is shown in Figure 8. It has sides 545 which extend from the base 555 of the groove 515 up to the outwardly presented surface (in this case upper surface) of the panel 510. However, the sides 545 of the groove 515 are not perpendicular to the outwardly presented surface of the panel 510. Rather, they include lips 516 provided at the upper end of each side 545. These lips 516 project inwardly into the groove 515. For a pipe diameter of 10mm it is expected that the gap between the two lips, at their closest points, will be approximately 8.65mm, with the depth of the groove being approximately 10mm. The lips are rounded at each upper corner to increase the ease of installation of the pipe 550 into the groove 515.

The pipe 550 may have to be "snapped" into the groove 515. The base 555 of the groove is rounded to substantially match the radius of curvature of the pipe 550.

However, the base may be square cut such that it is parallel to the outwardly presented surface of the panel.

Another example of a cross-section of a groove 615 is shown in Figure 9. This groove 615 has straight sides 645 extending from the base 655 up to the outwardly presented surface of the panel 610 in a similar manner to that described with reference to Figure 8. However, this groove 615 has no lips. Rather, the sides 645 extend substantially perpendicularly to the outwardly presented surface having rectilinear sides in the vertical direction (as shown in the figure). A pipe 650 is installed by placing it into the groove 615. For a 10mm external diameter pipe, it is expected that the groove dimensions will be approximately 10mm wide and approximately 10mm deep.

Claims

Claims 1. A panel for use with a heating or cooling system, comprising a first array of at least one groove and a second array of at least one groove, said grooves provided in one or more surfaces of the panel, wherein said at least one groove of said first array extends through two substantially opposite first sides of the panel and said at least one groove of said second array extends through two substantially opposite second sides of the panel, the grooves of the first array extending substantially perpendicular to the grooves of the second array.
2. A panel according to claim 1, wherein the grooves are substantially rectilinear.
3. A panel according to either one of claims I and 2, wherein either or both of the first and second arrays have more than one groove.
4. A panel according to any preceding claim, wherein either one of the first and second arrays has at least one groove provided towards one end of the panel and at least one groove provided towards the opposite end of the panel with no grooves provided therebetween.
5. A panel according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one curved groove interconnecting at least two grooves of the first and/or second array.
6. A panel according to any preceding claim, including a heating or cooling element provided in at least one groove.
7. A panel according to any preceding claim, being one of a floor panel, a wail panel and a ceiling panel.
8. A panel according to any preceding claim, wherein the grooves of the first and/or second array are provided on the inner and/or outwardly presented surface of the panel.
9. A heating/cooling system comprising a source of heating or cooling, heat exchange means provided in at least one groove in at least one panel according to any preceding claim, and connection means for connecting the source of heating or cooling to the heat exchange means.tO. The heating/cooling system of claim 9, being an underfloor heating system.11. A method of installing a heating/coollng system comprising the steps of: a. providing a plurallty of panels according to any one of claims I to 8; b. joining said panels together to form an array of panels; c. providing a heat exchange means in at least one groove in said array of panels; and d. connecting the heat exchange means to a source of heating or coohng.12. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of covering said array of panels.13. The method of either one of claims 11 and 12, further comprising the step of cutting each panel, as necessary, to the required si2e, and using the off-cut(s) elsewhere in the array of panels such that at least one groove in each off-cut or uncut panel aligns with at least one groove in an adjacent off-cut or uncut panel.14. The method of any one of claims II to 13, wherein the heat exchange means is a substantially continuous element provided in a serpentine form in one or more grooves in one or more panels.15. A panel for use with a heating or coohng system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.16. A heating/coohng system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.17. A method of installing a heating/coollng system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.