GB2574783A - Temperature-adjustable ceiling panel - Google Patents

Abstract

A temperature adjustable ceiling panel 10 comprises a panel body 12 having a room-facing surface 16, a rear surface 14 and a perimeter including at least one side surface 18. The panel includes a fluid conduit 26 in the body having an inlet 28 and outlet 30 which are inboard of the side surface(s) and ideally face a direction normal to the rear surface. The rear surface has at least one conduit access opening 20 through which the inlet and/or outlet are accessible. Ideally a cover 24 blanks the opening(s) prior to use, preventing soiling of the conduit during transport, etc. During installation, the inlet and outlet may be connected to similar, adjacent panels via joining conduits (42, figure 5). An end portion (44, figure 6) of the joining conduit is ideally of smaller diameter than a central portion (46, figure 6) so it may be received in the access opening. Since these connections are ideally in a direction normal to the rear face, movement of the joining conduit when pressurised with fluid, e.g. water, does not affect the relative location of adjacent panels. The room-facing surface ideally includes apertures 40a. A floor, wall or ceiling panel is also claimed.

Description

Temperature-Adjustable Ceiling Panel

The present invention relates to a temperature adjustable ceiling panel. The invention further relates to a temperature-adjustable ceiling-panel system, a temperatureadjustable room and a temperature-adjustable wall, floor or ceiling panel.

It can be desirable to adjust a temperature of an environment. For example, it can be desirable to adjust the temperature of a room to improve a comfort level of occupants.

A conventional method for adjusting a room temperature is via a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. HVAC systems typically vent either hot or cold air into a room to either heat or cool the room temperature respectively. HVAC systems typically rely heavily on convection to attempt to adjust the temperature of the entire room. This may be exasperated if the HVAC system is required to be positioned at an edge of a room, close to a wall, and vent hot or cold air from a location which is distant from an opposing side of the room. As such, HVAC systems can result in rooms with non-uniform temperature distributions and thus can be inefficient and ineffective, particularly in large rooms.

When designing or renovating a building, a continuous network of piping can be laid close to the edge of a room of a building. A hot or cold liquid can then be directed through the piping to heat or cool the room via radiation. This can result in a more even distribution of heat. However, such systems typically require bespoke design and are therefore expensive. They can also be difficult to retrofit to existing buildings.

It is therefore desirable to provide a heating or cooling system which can be easily installed to different room configurations to provide efficient and uniform temperature adjustment to the room.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a temperatureadjustable ceiling panel comprising: a panel body having a room-facing major surface, a rear major surface which faces an opposing or substantially opposing direction to the room-facing major surface, and a perimeter including at least one minor surface; and a fluid conduit in or at the panel body, the fluid conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet and/or outlet being inboard of the or each minor surface; the rear major surface having at least one conduit-access opening, the inlet and/or outlet being at or adjacent to the conduit-access opening or respective conduit-access openings.

A ceiling panel may be defined as a modular part of a ceiling, and may be equivalent to a ceiling tile. The use of ceiling panels as temperature adjustment devices allows for a large proportion of the surface of the room to be occupied by the temperature adjustable panels. This allows for fast, even and efficient heating or cooling of the room. Given that ceilings are not typically required to provide structural support, there is no or little requirement to separate the heating or cooling element with structural support elements. This allows for a smaller barrier between the heating or cooling element and the room and thus increases efficiency. A rear conduit-access opening allows for the panels to be used with a set size ceiling grid, without requiring for side connectors to be accommodated. Additionally, by providing a conduit-access opening through the rear surface, rather than a side surface, an efficient close arrangement of ceiling panels is permitted. This reduces gapping between panels and therefore heat transfer between the room and the exterior environment.

Such an arrangement also prevents or limits the efficiency losses associated with the use of push-fit connectors to connect a joining conduit to the inlet or outlet. Once pressurised with fluid therein, the joining conduit can axially move away from the inlet or outlet if push-fit connectors are used. This is because push-fit connectors typically secure the joining conduit less rigidly thereto. If the conduit-access opening is at the side surface and adjacent panels are laterally interconnected, then further separation of panels and further efficiency losses can occur via this axial movement. Therefore, if the fluid conduit is accessed via the rear of the panel, push-fit connectors can be used to increase a speed of installation without risking efficiency losses.

Preferably, the inlet and/or the outlet may face a direction at an angle to the rear major surface. Advantageously, the inlet and/or the outlet may face a normal or substantially normal direction to the rear major surface. Being at an angle to the rear major surface has the effect that axial movement of the joining conduit results in less or no lateral separation of adjacent panels.

Beneficially, the inlet and/or the outlet may be recessed relative to the rear major surface. Therefore, a joining conduit can be used with an exposed or uninsulated end portion without causing condensation or heat loss at the uninsulated end portion. This is due to the exposed end being received within and being insulated by the panel body. The consequences of all uninsulated cold pipe in a warm void will cause condensation.

Optionally, a diameter of the or each conduit-access opening may be greater than a diameter of the inlet and/or outlet. The diameter of tubing of the joining conduit will typically match that of the inlet and/or outlet. Therefore, if the conduit-access opening has a greater diameter than that of the inlet or outlet, a joining conduit which has insulation around tubing may be inserted into the access opening. This prevents or limits uninsulated tubing being exposed to the exterior environment and may assist with thermally sealing the conduit access opening.

In a preferable embodiment, the inlet and/or the outlet may comprise a push-fit connector. A push fit connector enables fast and toolless installation of the ceiling tiles.

Preferably, the panel body may comprise an insulator. An insulator, particular an insulator at a rear of the panel, prevents or limits heat transfer between the panel or room and the exterior environment which is not intended to be temperature controlled.

Additionally, the panel body may comprise a rigid insulator. A rigid insulator permits easy stacking of the panels during transportation and storage as the panel body would not deform or not deform significantly if a further panel was positioned thereon.

In a preferable embodiment, the panel body may comprise expanded polystyrene. Expanded polystyrene is rigid insulation which may be conveniently moulded to form a desired shape of the panel body, for example forming grooves or recesses therein.

Advantageously, the panel body may comprise a groove for receiving the fluid conduit. A groove allows for the fluid conduit to be accommodated within the panel body. Preferably, grooving is in a base of the panel body and this prevents gapping between the base and a cover when the cover is attached. Additionally, the groove may provide lateral support to the fluid conduit to prevent or limit movement of the fluid conduit during transportation, installation or use. Furthermore, if the groove conforms to the shape of the fluid conduit then this maximises the amount of insulation within the panel.

Beneficially, the panel body may define a conduit-receiving void. In the instance of two or more parts forming the panel body, this prevents gapping between said parts when inter-attached.

Optionally, the panel body may comprise a base which defines the rear major surface and a cover which defines the room-facing major surface, the base and cover being separable from each other. A two-part panel body provides more convenient manufacture. However, it will be appreciated that the cover may be permanently attached to the base, for example via an adhesive.

Preferably, the room-facing major surface comprises apertures. Apertures, or perforations, can provide sound absorption to improve acoustic properties of the room. Additionally, apertures could provide less barrier to radiation through the room-facing major surface.

In a preferable embodiment, the ceiling panel further comprises a heat diffuser at or adjacent to the fluid conduit for evenly distributing heat. A heat diffuser may also be referred to as a heat spreader or a spreader plate. In the instance of the panel heating the room, the heat diffuser absorbs heat from the fluid conduit, preferably via conduction, and then radiates heat from the surface of the diffuser into the room, providing a larger heat distribution source than the fluid conduit alone. In the instance of the panel cooling the room, the heat diffuser may absorb heat from the environment and transfer this to the fluid conduit via conduction.

Advantageously, the heat diffuser may comprise a groove for receiving the fluid conduit. A groove allows for a greater contact area between the fluid conduit and the heat diffuser and thus promotes conduction therebetween.

Beneficially, the heat diffuser may comprise a main portion and edge portions separable from the main portion. Optionally, the main portion may have at least one groove for receiving a straight of the fluid conduit and each edge portion may have a groove for receiving a bend of the fluid conduit. This assists with manufacture as the main portion, with only straight grooves, can be manufactured quickly and easily.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a temperatureadjustable ceiling-panel system comprising a ceiling panel according to the first aspect of the invention, and a joining conduit for connection to the inlet and/or the outlet. A joining conduit allows for ceiling panels to be fluidly connected to each other.

Preferably, the joining conduit may have an end portion which has a narrower diameter than that of a central portion, at least part of said central portion being receivable within the conduit-access opening. The narrower diameter end portion may represent an uninsulated end of the joining conduit. Thus, the insulated portion is receivable within the opening which may assist with thermally sealing the opening and preventing or limiting exposure of the uninsulated end portion to the exterior environment. Preferably, the central portion is engagingly received within the opening.

The ceiling-panel system preferably further comprising a further ceiling panel according to the first aspect of the invention, said ceiling panels being co-planarly or substantially co-planarly arranged, the joining conduit connected between the outlet of the ceiling panel and the inlet of the further ceiling panel.

Advantageously, the joining conduit may extend out of a plane of the panels. Beneficially, the joining conduit may project from the rear major surface. If the joining conduits use push-fit connectors which axially move when pressurised, then a rearward projecting direction has the result that panels are not pushed apart from each other.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a temperatureadjustable room comprising a plurality of ceiling panels according to a first aspect of the invention, wherein the plurality of room-facing surfaces at least in part define a ceiling of the room.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a temperature-adjustable wall, floor or ceiling panel comprising: a panel body having a room-facing major surface, a rear major surface which faces an opposing or substantially opposing direction to the room-facing major surface, and a perimeter including at least one minor surface; and a fluid conduit in or at the panel body, the fluid conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet and/or outlet being inboard of the or each minor surface; the rear major surface having at least one conduit-access opening, the inlet and/or outlet being at or adjacent to the conduit-access opening or respective conduit-access openings.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a temperature-adjustable ceiling panel in accordance with a first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 shows the ceiling panel of Figure 1 exploded and from a top perspective view;

Figure 3 shows the ceiling panel of Figure 1 exploded and from a bottom perspective view;

Figure 4 shows a top view of a temperature-adjustable ceiling-panel system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention comprising two panels of Figure 1, an outline of a cover, a fluid conduit, and a diffuser indicated through a base;

Figure 5 shows a side view of the temperature-adjustable ceiling-panel system of Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a joining conduit of the ceiling panel system of Figure 4 connected to the inlet of the ceiling panel in an un-pressurised condition; and

Figure 7 shows the arrangement of Figure 6 in a pressurised condition.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a temperature-adjustable ceiling panel 10 having a panel body 12. Whilst termed “temperature-adjustable”, it will be appreciated that the ceiling panel 10 may alternatively be described as a heating or cooling ceiling panel 10 or an air-conditioning ceiling panel 10. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the panel 10 may alternatively be described as a ceiling tile, ceiling element or ceiling module.

The panel body 12 has a rear major surface 14, or upper major surface, which here defines the rear or top exterior surface of the panel 10 or panel body 12, and a roomfacing major surface 16, or lower major surface, which here defines the front or bottom exterior surface of the panel 10 or panel body 12. The rear major surface 14 and the room-facing major surface 16 face in opposing or substantially opposing directions. The major surfaces 14, 16 are each preferably planar or substantially planar and in use are aligned with a horizontal direction. The major surfaces 14, 16 preferably have similar or identical dimensions, each measuring or substantially measuring 600 mm by 600 mm, or 580 mm by 580 mm, although other dimensions may be considered. For example, dimensions between 400 mm and 1200 mm may also be considered. This may include tiles with a double dimension, for example 600 mm by 1200 mm, and therefore the two dimensions of the major surface may not be the same.

The panel body 12 further has a perimeter which includes at least one minor surface 18, the or each minor surface 18 defining the sides of the panel 10. Here there are four minor surfaces 18. Whilst described as having four minor surfaces 18, and the panel 10 thus being rectangular or square shaped, it will be appreciated that the panel 10 may have any number of minor surfaces 18 or sides. The panel body 12 is preferably thin or platelike. An interface between the rear major surface 14 and the minor surfaces 18 may be bevelled, and an interface between the minor surfaces 18 and the room-facing major surface 16 may be stepped.

The panel body 12 includes at least one conduit-access opening 20 in or at the rear major surface 14. Here there are two spaced apart conduit-access openings 20, an inletconduit-access opening 20a and an outlet-conduit-access opening 20b. Each conduitaccess opening 20 is at or adjacent to a corner portion of the panel body 12 and/or is preferably spaced apart from the edge of the rear major surface 14. Here each conduitaccess opening 20 is at or adjacent to the same minor surface 18. The or each conduitaccess opening 20 preferably faces or entirely faces a direction at a non-zero angle to the rear major surface 14. Here the or each conduit-access opening 20 is coplanar or substantially coplanar with the rear major surface 14 and thus the or each conduit-access opening 20 faces a normal direction or substantially normal direction to the rear major surface 14. However, it will be appreciated that the or each conduit-access opening 20 may face other non-normal directions, for example facing a direction at an angle between 90° and 45° or 90° and 60° to the rear major surface 14.

The panel body 12 preferably includes a recess 22 at the rear major surface 14 and at the or each opening 20. The recess 22 is for receiving an opening-cover 24, as shown in Figure 2, thereon. This may prevent or limit blockages forming in the opening 20 during transportation of the panel 10. The opening-cover 24 may include an adhesive for removably securing the opening-cover 24 to the recess 22. However, the recess 22 may be omitted whilst still using an opening-cover 24.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the ceiling panel 10 further comprises a fluid conduit 26 in or at the panel body 12 for receiving a fluid for heating or cooling the room. Here the fluid conduit 26 is in and extends through at least part of the panel body 12. The fluid conduit 26 preferably comprises tubing. The fluid conduit 26 has an inlet 28 and an outlet 30, the inlet 28 and/or outlet 30 being inboard of the or each minor surface 18. Here, both the inlet 28 and outlet 30 are inboard of the minor surfaces 18. In use, the inlet 28 and/or outlet 30 preferably underlie or overlie the rear major surface 14. Thus, the inlet 28 and/or outlet 30 are within the footprint of the panel body 12.

The inlet 28 and/or outlet 30 preferably face a direction at an angle to the rear major surface 14, and here the inlet 28 and outlet 30 face a direction normal or substantially normal to the rear major surface 14. In use, the inlet 28 and the outlet 30 face vertically upwards. The inlet 28 and/or outlet 30 do not face a minor surface 18, or a sideways or lateral direction in use.

The inlet 28 and outlet 30 preferably each comprise push-fit connectors. For example, the inlet 28 and outlet 30 may each comprise inwardly angled teeth which in use grip a joining conduit once pushed therein, which prevents or limits removal of the joining conduit. The inlet 28 and outlet 30 may additionally comprise a seal, such as a rubber O-ring, to fluidly seal the joining conduit to the inlet 28 or outlet 30. Other push-fit connector types may be considered. Whilst push-fit connectors are described, it will be appreciated that connections secured via tools may also be used.

The inlet 28 and outlet 30 are preferably at or adjacent to the inlet-conduit-access opening 20a and the outlet-conduit-access opening 20b respectively. Here the inlet 28 and outlet 30 are recessed relative to the rear major surface 14, although it will be appreciated that each may be at the rear major surface 14 or be outside of the panel body 12. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the inlet 28 and outlet 30 may be spaced apart from the respective conduit-access opening 20 such that they are not adjacent to the conduit-access opening 20. For example, the fluid conduit 26 may project through the or each conduit-access opening 20.

A majority of the fluid conduit 26 is parallel to or substantially parallel to the rear major surface 14. Here the fluid conduit 26 extends sinuously, tortuously, circuitously or in a serpentine fashion through, in or at the panel body 12. The fluid conduit 26 preferably has a plurality of spaced apart straight sections 26a, which are preferably parallel to each other, with a return bend 26b joining adjacent straight sections 26a.

The fluid conduit 26 has an inlet conduit-portion 32 at or adjacent to the inlet 28 and an outlet conduit-portion 34 at or adjacent to the outlet 30. The inlet and outlet conduitportions 32, 34 are preferably each elbow connectors or elbow sections, such that the fluid conduit 26 extends upwards towards the rear major surface 14.

The panel 10 preferably further comprises a heat diffuser 36 for evenly distributing heat from or to the fluid conduit 26. Here the heat diffuser 36 is a plate and/or is preferably formed from a thermally conductive material such as metal, and more particularly aluminium or copper, although other metals or materials may be considered. The heat diffuser 36 is at or adjacent to the fluid conduit 26 and is preferably directly in contact therewith to permit conduction between the fluid conduit 26 and the heat diffuser 36. The heat diffuser 36 is preferably between the fluid conduit 26 and the rear major surface 14.

The heat diffuser 36 is grooved so as to correspond to or receive the fluid conduit 26. Here the heat diffuser 36 is multi-part and preferably comprises a main portion 36a and edge portions 36b. The main portion 36a is grooved so as to correspond to or receive the straight sections 26a, and thus has a plurality of spaced apart straight grooves. Each edge portion 36b is grooved to correspond to the return bend 26b section, and thus each has a semi-circular groove. Whilst here there are individual edge portions 36b for each return section, it will be appreciated that an edge portion 36b may have multiple return section grooves. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the heat diffuser 36 may alternatively be unitarily formed as a one-piece. Edge portions 36b at the same side of the main portion 36a are preferably spaced apart from each other.

The panel body 12 preferably comprises at least two separable or joinable parts; a base 38 and a cover 40. The base 38 is the rear or top part of the panel body 12 or panel 10 and has the rear major surface 14. The cover 40 is the front, facing or bottom part of the panel body 12 or panel 10 and has the room-facing major surface 16.

The base 38 preferably comprises, and is here formed of, an insulator to prevent efficiency losses from heat transfer between the panel 10 and the environment exterior to the room. Although non-rigid insulators may be used, the base 38 preferably comprises a rigid insulator to limit deformation of the panels 10 and thus permit easy stacking of the panels 10 during storage or transportation. More preferably, the base 38 comprises expanded polystyrene, although extruded polystyrene or polyisocyanurate may also be considered. The cover 40 preferably comprises a plurality of openings or apertures 40a therethrough. However, it will be appreciated that the apertures 40a may not be present. The apertures 40a, or perforations, can provide sound absorption to improve acoustic properties of the room. Additionally, apertures 40a could provide less barrier to radiation through the room-facing major surface. Here there are preferably at least 25 apertures 40a, and more preferably 100 apertures 40a. The cover 40 preferably comprises gypsum and may be a gypsum board.

The base 38 further defines the minor surfaces 18 or a majority of each minor surface 18. The base 38 is therefore thicker than the cover 40. However, it will be appreciated that the cover 40 may define the minor surfaces 18 or both the base 38 and the cover 40 may together define the minor surfaces 18. The base 38 is preferably recessed to receive the fluid conduit 26 and/or the heat diffuser 36. In this way, the base 38 and cover 40 together define a conduit- and/or diffuser- receiving void within the panel 10.

Alternatively, the cover 40 may be recessed, or the base 38 and cover 40 may both be recessed, to define the conduit- and/or diffuser- receiving void. A depth of a recess 38a of the base 38 is preferably sized to correspond to the thickness of the diffuser and/or the fluid conduit 26. Additionally or alternatively, a cross-section of the recess 38a is shaped to correspond to the cross-section of the diffuser 36.

The diffuser 36 may include at least one projection or protrusion, with the recess 38a including at least one corresponding hole. The projection may be received in the hole to assist with locating and/or securing the diffuser 36 to the recess 38a.

The base 38 is preferably grooved so as to correspond to or receive the fluid conduit 26 and/or the grooves of the diffuser.

In use, a temperature-adjustable ceiling panel 10 may be installed by supporting the ceiling panel 10 at or adjacent to ceiling level. For example, a lattice or framework structure at ceiling level may support a plurality of ceiling panels 10, each panel 10 being supported at its edge or perimeter by part of the framework.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, a first ceiling panel 10a is supported at the ceiling level and a first end of a joining conduit 42 is connected to the outlet 30 of the first ceiling panel 10a to form a temperature-adjustable ceiling-panel system 100. A second end of the joining conduit 42 is connected to the inlet 28 of a second ceiling panel 10b. The second ceiling panel 10b is then supported at or adjacent to the first ceiling panel 10a. Preferably, the first and second ceiling panels 10a, 10b abut each other. Further ceiling panels 10c, 10d, can then be supported and connected in a similar or identical manner.

Referring in addition to Figure 6, the joining conduit 42 has end portions 44 which have a narrower diameter than that of a central portion 46 of the joining conduit 42. This is due to the joining conduit 42 comprising insulation 48 around tubing 50 at a majority of the length of the joining conduit 42. Each end portion 44 of the joining conduit 42 does not comprise insulation to permit interconnection with the inlet 28 or outlet 30, preferably via a push-fit connection. Thus, each end portion 44 of the joining conduit 42 is uninsulated or exposed. The joining conduit 42 is preferably flexible and/or has a length sufficient to allow easy installation, for example the joining conduit 42 may be at least 100 mm. During installation this permits for an uninstalled ceiling panel 10 to be connected to an installed ceiling panel 10, and then the uninstalled ceiling panel 10 manoeuvred into position. The diameter of the joining conduit 42 with insulation is preferably between 10 mm and 30 mm and more preferably 20 mm. The diameter of the joining conduit 42 without insulation, in other words the diameter of the tubing 50, is preferably between 4 mm and 15 mm and more preferably 7 mm.

When one end of the joining conduit 42 is connected to the inlet 28 or outlet 30, the joining conduit 42 is inserted into the inlet- or outlet-conduit-access opening 20a, 20b to connect the exposed end 44 of the joining conduit 42 to the inlet 28 or outlet 30. Preferably, the push-fit connection of the inlet 28 or outlet 30 connects to the tubing 50. The inlet 28 or outlet 30 is recessed relative to the major surface such that the insulation 48 and/or the central portion 46 of the joining conduit 42 is receivable within the opening 20 and thus the panel body 12, for example by at least 5 mm. Here at least part of the central portion 46 is closely or engagingly received within the opening 20

Multiple other panels 10 may then be installed and interconnected to the temperatureadjustable ceiling-panel system 100 in a similar or identical way and a fluid source may be connected to the inlet 28 of one of the ceiling panels 10 via a further joining conduit. The outlet 30 of another ceiling panel 10 may also be interconnected to the fluid source to create a closed circuit. The fluid source may comprise a heater and/or a refrigerator for heating or cooling the fluid respectively. The fluid source may additionally comprise a pump to move the fluid around the circuit. The fluid is preferably water.

When the system 100 is pressurised, for example when the conduits 26, 42 include fluid flowing therethrough, an axial force may act on the conduits 26, 42. When utilising pushfit connectors, this typically results in a movement of the joining conduit 42 away from the inlet 28 or outlet 30. Such movement can be seen by comparing Figures 6 and 7. The movement may be permitted due to push fit connectors typically less rigidly securing the joining conduit 42 than connectors which are secured with the use of tools. Since the joining conduit 42 extends via the rear major surface 14, rather than a side surface, such axial movement does not result in panels 10 being laterally separated. Lateral separation of panels 10 may result in less efficient temperature adjustment of the room. Additionally, given that the insulation of the joining conduit 42 is received within the conduit-access opening 20, rather than against the conduit-access opening 20 for example, the movement of the joining conduit 42 does not result in having an uninsulated length exposed to the exterior environment. Exposure of uninsulated length of conduit can result in heat loss therefrom or condensation forming thereon.

Once installed to a room, the temperature adjustable ceiling panels 10 and temperatureadjustable-ceiling-panel system 100 radiantly adjust the temperature of the room. For example, if the temperature of the room is above a determined desirable temperature, fluid which is below that of the room temperature is circulated through the fluid conduits 26 and joining conduits 42 of the ceiling-panel system 100. The heat from the room is radiantly absorbed by the fluid conduit 26 and the fluid therein via the cover 40, thus cooling the room. The heated fluid is then re-cooled by the refrigerator at the fluid source. Similarly, if the room temperature is below a determined desirable temperature, fluid having a temperature above that of the room temperature is circulated through the fluid conduits 26 and joining conduits 42 of the ceiling-panel system 100. The heat from the fluid is therefore radiantly emitted from the fluid conduit 26 in the panel body 12 to the room via the cover 40, thus heating the room. The cooled fluid is then re-heated by the heater at the fluid source. Given that the ceiling panels 10 can occupy a large proportion of the surface area of the room, this results in a room with a uniformly adjusted temperature.

Whilst here the panel body includes a front cover, it will be appreciated that the panel body may comprise a base with a fluid conduit at or adjacent thereto and no front cover. In this way, the fluid conduit would be exposed and visible to the room.

Although both the inlet and the outlet are shown as being inboard of the minor surfaces and at or adjacent to an opening in the rear major surface, it will be appreciated that this may be the case for only one of the inlet and outlet.

Whilst the openings for the inlet and the outlet are described and shown as being in the rear major surface, it will be appreciated that the openings may in fact be at the roomfacing major surface.

It is therefore possible to provide an easily installable temperature-adjustable device which efficiently adjusts the temperature of a subject room. The use of ceiling panels allows for a large proportion of the surface of the room to be occupied by the temperature adjustable panels. This allows for fast, even and efficient heating or cooling of the room. By interconnecting panels from a rear surface, rather than a side surface, this allows for an efficient close arrangement of ceiling panels, reducing gapping and therefore heat loss. This also permits use of push-fit connectors, which typically move once pressurised and therefore can cause further separation of panels and thus further efficiency losses.

The words ‘comprises/comprising’ and the words ‘having/including’ when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims (24)

Claims

1. A temperature-adjustable ceiling panel comprising:

a panel body having a room-facing major surface, a rear major surface which faces an opposing or substantially opposing direction to the room-facing major surface, and a perimeter including at least one minor surface; and a fluid conduit in or at the panel body, the fluid conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet and/or outlet being inboard of the or each minor surface;

the rear major surface having at least one conduit-access opening, the inlet and/or outlet being at or adjacent to the conduit-access opening or respective conduit-access openings.

2. A temperature-adjustable ceiling panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet and/or the outlet face a direction at an angle to the rear major surface.

3. A temperature-adjustable ceiling panel as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inlet and/or the outlet face a normal or substantially normal direction to the rear major surface.

4. A temperature-adjustable ceiling panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet and/or the outlet is recessed relative to the rear major surface.

5. A temperature-adjustable ceiling panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a diameter of the or each conduit-access opening is greater than a diameter of the inlet and/or outlet.

6. A temperature-adjustable ceiling panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet and/or the outlet comprise a push-fit connector.

7. A temperature-adjustable ceiling panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel body comprises an insulator.

8. A temperature-adjustable ceiling panel as claimed in claim 7, wherein the panel body comprises a rigid insulator.

9. A temperature-adjustable ceiling panel as claimed in claim 8, wherein the panel body comprises expanded polystyrene.

10. A temperature-adjustable ceiling panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel body comprises a groove for receiving the conduit.

11. A temperature-adjustable ceiling panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel body defines a conduit-receiving void.

12. A temperature-adjustable ceiling panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel body comprises a base which defines the rear major surface and a cover which defines the room-facing major surface, the base and cover being separable from each other.

13. A temperature-adjustable ceiling panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the room-facing major surface comprises apertures.

14. A temperature-adjustable ceiling panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a heat diffuser at or adjacent to the fluid conduit for evenly distributing heat.

15. A temperature-adjustable ceiling panel as claimed in claim 14, wherein the heat diffuser comprises a groove for receiving the fluid conduit.

16. A temperature-adjustable ceiling panel as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the heat diffuser comprises a main portion and edge portions separable from the main portion.

17. A temperature-adjustable ceiling panel as claimed in claim 15 and claim 16, wherein the main portion has at least one groove for receiving a straight of the fluid conduit and each edge portion has a groove for receiving a bend of the fluid conduit.

18. A temperature-adjustable ceiling-panel system comprising a ceiling panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and a joining conduit for connection to the inlet and/or the outlet.

19. A temperature-adjustable ceiling-panel system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the joining conduit has an end portion which has a narrower diameter than that of a central portion, at least part of said central portion being receivable within the conduit-access opening.

20. A temperature-adjustable ceiling-panel system as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19, further comprising a further ceiling panel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, said ceiling panels being co-planarly or substantially co-planarly arranged, the joining conduit connected between the outlet of the ceiling panel and the inlet of the further ceiling panel.

21. A temperature-adjustable ceiling-panel system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the joining conduit extends out of a plane of the panels.

22. A temperature-adjustable ceiling-panel system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the joining conduit projects from the rear major surface.

23. A temperature-adjustable room comprising a plurality of ceiling panels as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the plurality of room-facing surfaces at least in part define a ceiling of the room.

24. A temperature-adjustable wall, floor or ceiling panel comprising:

a panel body having a room-facing major surface, a rear major surface which faces an opposing or substantially opposing direction to the room-facing major surface, and a perimeter including at least one minor surface; and a fluid conduit in or at the panel body, the fluid conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet and/or outlet being inboard of the or each minor surface;

the rear major surface having at least one conduit-access opening, the inlet and/or outlet being at or adjacent to the conduit-access opening or respective conduit-access openings.