US2084468A

US2084468A - Thermoradiant heating unit

Info

Publication number: US2084468A
Application number: US43511A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward F Wach
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1935-10-04
Filing date: 1935-10-04
Publication date: 1937-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 1954-06-22

Description

E. F. WAcH THERMORADIANT HEATING UNIT Filed Oct. 4, 1935 June 22, 1937.

Wach

Patented an. 22, 1931 UNITED STATES PATEN OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to electric heating units and particularly to one usable for heating edifices of all kinds, vehicles, boats, airplanes etc., poultry incubators and brooder houses, and for other commercial uses where a mild controlled heat is required at an economical cost and which can be produced from electrical energy.

It is of course well to note that in any of its forms a resistance element, or a conductor of 10 electricity, dissipates a certain amount of heat proportionate to the current strength and resistance of the material used for the element.

This causes what is known as a heat loss" of energy which in my invention is scientifically dissipated into the surrounding space by radiation to impart its heat into the air. Ordinarily this radiating action takes place radially in all directions from the center of emission, which in the case of an electric wire, is the center of the cross sectional area of the same.

By the use of the various layers comprising my unit, this heat loss is economically directed and dissipated to a space to be utilized in an efficient manner for heating-purposes.

The higher the temperature of the body or wire the more intense in general is the heat radiated. This is known as thermal radiation.

It is the main object of my invention to provide an electric heating device or unit suitable for the purposes recited above. which is so constructed that while the electric heating element itself is completely insulated so that a fine resistant and dielectric unit is formed which eliminates all fire and shock hazards, the maximum amount of heat loss or thermal radiation is harnessed and transmitted in the desired direction for utilization in heating the room space, etc. in which the unit is mounted in the most scientific and eiilcient manner.

Another object of my invention is to construct a unit in the form of a panel adapted to be set with perfect safety flush or adjacent the ceiling or wall surface of a room with the assurance that the maximum heat generated by the panel 5 will be transmitted or radiated into the room in the most economical and eiilcient manner. Since the unit is thoroughly insulated as before stated, the above method of mounting of the panel can be carried out with perfect safety from the stand- 50 point of fire hazards. Also the construction of the panel unit is such that it provides efficient insulation against any external heat it is desiredto exclude, thus providing a source of manifold insulation as well as a heat producing medium. 65 The panel may be made of any size, shape or transverse contour with equal facility and according to'the requirements of individual installations.

Instead of the panel, the unit may take the form of a broad system of lamlnations for use over large broad areas such as floors, ceilings and walls, and comprising layers of material substantially the same as those contained in the panel I or strip form of the unit, and with equal safety and emciency in mounting and operation.

Though ordinarily the heat producing agency of the heating unit is an electric resistance element, in certain cases as when the panels are to cover a large area, hot water or steampipes may be used instead of the resistance wire, with the same emcient results as to the radiation and distribution of the heat. I

The broad or large laminated form of construction is to be used over large areas where the panel or strip form is not applicable, but where an economical and eilicient means of providing heat is found desirable.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusual of the following specification and claims.

In the drawing similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the panel form of my improved electric heating unit showing the same mounted in unitary connection with a special form of outlet box.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the panel with the outlet box in section and with the various layers of the panel broken away.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a heating unit for use when flexibility is desired, as for wrapping conduits and piping of any form containing liquids, solids or a vacuum, which it is desired to keep warm or prevent from freezing.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawing, and particular- 1y at present to Figures 1 and 2, the rigid or panel form of heating unit comprises a back sheet i of metal of a suitable character, polished or bright on one or both sides, and possesses certain scientific properties and values of reflection, refraction and thermal insulation in radiant heat energy transfer, diffusion and dissipation. Disposed against the sheet I is the base or structural member 2 of the panel. This is relatively thick and is of cellular material having rigidity.

strength, fire resistant properties, as well as high insulating values as characteristic features. This material may be one of those of special composition such as those known to the trade as "Thermax", Celotex, or the like, or it may be ordinary asbestos, cork, or other composition boards of standard character.

Adhored against the face of the member 2 cpposite the sheet I is a preferably thin dielectric liner 3. This may be a varnished cambric or other treated fabric of suitable character, mica or any other equivalent material possessing properties of known electrical insulation values. This liner serves as an insulation for the panel against the possibility of the electric current leaking, or the grounding of the resistance element of the heat generating unit of the panel, which is superimposed on the dielectric liner.

This heating unit comprises an envelope formed of a pair of sheets I and I of asbestos, mica or equivalent insulating material, between which is disposed the resistance element or grid 6. This is preferably of enameled wire and is laid so as to extend over substantially the entire area of the panel. The

envelope sheets

4 and 5 are adhered together by a flexible thermoplastic moistureproof substance of suitable material which hermetically seals and insulates the bare or enameled wire in the envelope.

The envelope is preferably covered by a surface sheet 1 of the same general character as the sheets I and 5, which may be finished in any suitable manner and color to harmonize with the wall or ceiling finish, since this surface of the panel is the one exposed in the room to be heated. Said surface sheet is of such a nature that when affixed to an emissory surface, such as that of the heat generating unit, it possesses certain properties of radiation, heat transfer, refraction and diffusion.

With a heating panel constructed as above a maximum amount of "heat loss" or thermal radiation from the resistance wire will be radiated from the outer or room exposed surface of the panel, due largely to the use of the polished or bright metal sheet I at the back of the panel, and which possesses the aforementioned properties of heat reflection, refraction, and thermal insulation values. It may here be noted that while I show and describe this metal sheet as being at the back of the panel, this position is not absolute, since it may possibly be disposed on the front side of the base layer I. Said layer 2 not only forms the structural member of the panel, enabling the same to be easily mounted in place against the studs or ceiling joists, but serves as a heat and cold insulator as well as being fire resistant.

The entire panel being fire resistant, and the resistance wire being completely insulated from the other parts of the panel, the hazards are eliminated making it perfectly safe to mount the panel against the woodwork of the building.

To connect the resistance wire 6 to a source of current I preferably provide a special form of outlet box 8, which is recessed in the panel at one end as shown and which carries spaced terminal posts 8 in the bottom. The ends of the resistance wire 8 are connected to the posts as well as the supply wires l which lead to the main current line of the building etc.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Fig ure 3 the base member 2 is dispensed with and the unit is made in the form of a flexible strip as shown, adapted to be wrapped spirally about heating pipes to retain and add to the heat therein. Such strip therefore comprises a metal refleeting strip la, a dielectric strip 3a, envelope strips in. and a containing the wire or ribbonlike resistance element Ba. and the exterior cover strip in. All these strips have the same properties as those of the panel type of device and with the strip Ia disposed against the pipe, the maximum heat generated by the heating ribbon la will be radiated inwardly of the pipe.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A theme-radiant heating device in panel form comprising a base member of relatively thick and rigid cellular heat insulating material. a heating unit disposed adjacent one face of the member and comprising an insulating envelope and an electric resistance element hermetically sealed therein, an outlet box recessed into the panel at one end, and spaced terminal posts in the box connected to the ends of the resistance element; said ends projecting into the box from between the walls of the envelope.

2. A structure as in claim 1, in which the box is substantially equal in width to the thickness of the panel and includes side plates overlapping and secured to the opposite outer surfaces of the panel.

EDWARD F. WACH.