WO2017158580A1

WO2017158580A1 - A space temperature controlling apparatus and a space heating apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2017158580A1
Application number: PCT/IE2017/000004
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Gerard Tangney
Original assignee: James Gerard Tangney
Priority date: 2016-03-18
Filing date: 2017-03-20
Publication date: 2017-09-21

Abstract

A space heating and/or cooling apparatus (1) comprising a housing (3) and a front panel (8), within which a first compartment (20) and a second compartment (22) are formed and separated by a partition wall (9), and communicate through a communicating opening (23) in the partition wall (9). A heat exchanger (28) extends around the periphery of the first compartment (20), and an electric motor driven fan (38) located in the communicating opening (23) draws air through a plurality of spaced apart air inlet openings (24) located in a peripheral side wall (10) through the heat exchanger (28) and in turn into the second compartment (22), from which the air is urged by the fan (38) through an air outlet slot (25), which extends around a peripheral edge (26) of the front panel (8). A peripheral wall (17) extending forwardly from the partition wall (9) defines the air outlet slot 25 with the front panel (8), and defines an air guiding surface (48) for guiding air through the air outlet slot (25). The air guiding surface (48) diverges forwardly outwardly relative to the housing (3) for in turn guiding the air through the air outlet slot (25) to diverge forwardly outwardly from the air outlet slot (25) so that the air exists the air outlet slot (25) at a diverging fan angle of approximately 60°.

Description

"A space temperature controlling apparatus and a space heating apparatus"

The present invention relates to a space temperature controlling apparatus, and in particular, though not limited to a wall mounted or ceiling mounted space temperature controlling apparatus, and the invention also relates to a space heating apparatus, for example, a space heater.

Space temperature controlling apparatus for heating and/or cooling, for example, a room in a house or an office in a building are known. Such space heating and/or cooling apparatus comprise a housing defining a hollow interior region in which a heat source and/or a cooling source is located therein, and a fan for directing air through the heat and/or cooling sources for heating or cooling the air, and circulating the heated or cooled air in the room or office. In general, such space heating and/or cooling apparatus, and in particular space heating apparatus comprise an air inlet located adjacent the bottom of the housing of the apparatus through which air is drawn into the hollow interior region of the apparatus and an air outlet adjacent the top of the housing of the apparatus. Air is drawn from the room or office into the housing of the apparatus through the bottom air inlet, is heated in the apparatus, and is returned to the room or office through the top air outlet. A disadvantage of such space heating apparatus is that they inevitably develop convection currents upwards, thus denying heat to occupants for a substantial period of time. Only when a ceiling level downward cushion of warm air gradually descends to occupant level does heating at the occupant level begin.

There is therefore a need for a space heating apparatus which addresses this problem, and there is also a need for a space temperature controlling apparatus which likewise addresses this problem.

The present invention is directed towards providing a space temperature controlling apparatus which addresses at least some of the problems associated with known space temperature controlling apparatus, and the invention is also directed towards providing a space heating apparatus which also addresses at least some of the problems of known space heating apparatus.

According to the invention there is provided a space temperature controlling apparatus comprising a housing defining a hollow interior region, a heat exchange element located in the hollow interior region, an air inlet to the hollow interior region and an air outlet from the hollow interior region, an urging means for urging air from the air inlet to the air outlet through the hollow interior region and the heat exchange element, wherein the air outlet is defined by an elongated air outlet slot extending around at least a substantial part of the housing adjacent a front face thereof adjacent a periphery of the housing, and is configured to direct air in a generally forwardly diverging direction from the front face of the housing, and the air inlet is located in the housing rearwardly of the air outlet slot and is configured relative to the air outlet slot to minimise mixing of air being urged from the air outlet slot with air being drawn towards the air inlet exteriorly of the housing.

Preferably, the air outlet slot extends completely around the periphery of the housing. Advantageously, the air outlet slot extends around the front face of the housing adjacent the periphery thereof.

Ideally, the air outlet slot is dimensioned to minimise noise resulting from the air urging means.

In one aspect of the invention the air outlet slot is of width transversely across the air outlet slot not greater than 3mm. Preferably, the air outlet slot is of width transversely across the air outlet slot not greater than 2.5mm. Advantageously, the air out slot is of width transversely across the air outlet slot not greater than 2mm. In some aspects of the invention the air outlet slot is of width transversely across the air outlet slot of approximately 1.7mm.

In one aspect of the invention a guide means is provided for guiding the air through the air outlet slot in the generally forwardly outwardly diverging direction relative to the front face of the housing. Preferably, the guide means comprises a peripheral wall of the housing having an air guiding surface defining an outer periphery of the air outlet slot. Advantageously, the air guiding surface diverges outwardly in a generally downstream direction relative to the direction of air flow through the air outlet slot. Preferably, the air guiding surface extends outwardly from the air outlet slot in the generally downstream diverging direction. In one aspect of the invention the air guiding surface terminates in a downstream end spaced apart downstream of the air outlet slot. Preferably, the air guiding surface extends from the air outlet slot in a generally upstream direction relative to the direction of air flow through the air outlet slot.

In another aspect of the invention the air guiding surface terminates in an upstream curved portion spaced apart upstream from the air outlet, the upstream curved portion being configured for turning the air through an angle greater than zero towards the air outlet slot.. Preferably, the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface is configured for turning the air through an angle greater than 30°. Advantageously, the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface is configured for turning the air through an angle of approximately 60°.

In one aspect of the invention the air guiding surface extending downstream from the upstream curved portion thereof defines with the upstream portion of the air guiding surface extending upstream from the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface an obtuse angle lying in the range of 100° to 150°. Preferably, the obtuse angle defined by the air guiding surface extending downstream from the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface and the upstream portion of the air guiding surface extending upstream from the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface lies in the range of 110° to 140°. Advantageously, the obtuse angle defined by the air guiding surface extending downstream from the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface and the upstream portion of the air guiding surface extending upstream from the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface is approximately 120°.

Ideally, the air guiding surface comprises a smooth surface to minimise turbulent flow through the air outlet slot.

In another aspect of the invention the housing comprises a front panel defining the front face of the housing, the front panel having a peripheral edge extending at least partly around the front panel and defining an inner periphery of the air outlet slot.

In another aspect of the invention the peripheral edge of the front panel co-operates with the air guiding surface and is located relative to the air guiding surface intermediate the downstream end of the air guiding surface and the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface and spaced apart from the downstream end of the air guiding surface and the upstream curved portion thereof. Preferably, the peripheral edge of the front panel extends completely around the front panel. Advantageously, the front panel is one of rectangular shape and square shape. In a further aspect of the invention the air inlet comprises at least one air inlet opening located in a peripheral side wall of the housing, the at least one air inlet opening being spaced apart rearwardly from the air outlet slot. Preferably, a plurality of the air inlet openings are spaced apart around the peripheral side wall of the housing.

In another aspect of the invention the peripheral side wall of the housing in which the at least one air inlet opening is located is angled in a general direction towards the front face of the housing in a generally 5 forwardly outwardly diverging direction.

In another aspect of the invention the heat exchange element is located adjacent the periphery of the hollow interior region of the housing. Preferably, the heat exchange element extends substantially around the hollow interior region within the housing. Advantageously, the heat exchange element is located l o substantially adjacent the peripheral side wall of the housing. Ideally, the heat exchange element is located adjacent the air inlet.

In one aspect of the invention the heat exchange element is configured for accommodating a heat exchange fluid therethrough for exchanging heat between the heat exchange fluid and air being drawn 15 through the heat exchange element. Preferably, the heat exchange element comprises a plurality of spaced apart heat exchange fluid carrying tubes, and a plurality of spaced apart parallel heat exchange fins extending transversely of the heat exchange fluid carrying tubes.

Advantageously, the heat exchange element is configured for connecting alternately to a heat source for 0 receiving heated heat exchange fluid therefrom and a cooling source for receiving cooled heat exchange fluid therefrom.

In one aspect of the invention the heat exchange element is configured for accommodating a liquid heat exchange fluid therethrough. Preferably, the heat exchange fluid comprises heat exchange water. 5

In another aspect of the invention the urging means is located between the heat exchange element and the air outlet slot.

In a further aspect of the invention a partition wall is located in the hollow interior region dividing the hollow0 interior region into an upstream first compartment and a downstream second compartment, the first and second compartments communicating with each other through a communicating opening extending through the partition wall. Preferably, the heat exchange element is located in the first compartment.

Advantageously, the air urging means is located in the communicating opening extending through the partition wall.

Preferably, the air urging means is configured to draw air in from the first compartment in an axial direction, and to discharge the air into the second compartment in a radial direction.

Advantageously, the air outlet slot communicates with the second compartment, and the air is delivered from the second compartment through the air outlet slot.

In one aspect of the invention the air urging means comprises a fan. Preferably, the air urging means comprises a variable speed fan. Advantageously, the air urging means comprises an electric motor driven fan.

In one aspect of the invention the housing comprises a rear wall spaced apart from the front panel, the partition wall being located between the front panel and the rear wall, and is spaced apart from the front panel and the rear panel, and the peripheral side wall extends between the rear wall and the partition wall and defining with the rear wall and the partition wall the first compartment, and the peripheral wall defining with the partition wall and the front wall the second compartment.

In another aspect of the invention the housing is of one of rectangular shape and square shape when viewed from the front. Preferably, housing is configured for mounting on a wall of a room.

The invention also provides a space heating apparatus comprising a housing defining a hollow interior region, a heating means located in the hollow interior region, an air inlet to the hollow interior region and an air outlet from the hollow interior region, an urging means for urging air from the air inlet to the air outlet through the hollow interior region and the heating means, wherein the air outlet is defined by an elongated air outlet slot extending around at least a substantial part of the housing adjacent a front face thereof and adjacent the periphery of the housing, and is configured to direct air in a generally forwardly diverging direction from the front face of the housing, and the air inlet is located in the housing rearwardly of the air outlet slot and is configured relative to the air outlet slot to minimise mixing of air being urged from the air outlet slot with air being drawn towards the air inlet exteriorly of the housing.. In one aspect of the invention the heating means is located adjacent the periphery of the hollow interior region of the housing. Preferably, the heating means extends substantially around the hollow interior ; region within the housing thereof. Advantageously, the heating means is located substantially adjacent the peripheral side wall of the housing. Preferably, the heating means is located adjacent the air inlet. In one aspect of the invention the urging means is located between the heating means and the air outlet slot.

In another aspect of the invention a partition wall is located in the hollow interior region dividing the hollow interior region into an upstream first compartment and a downstream second compartment, the first and second compartments communicating with each other through a communicating opening extending through the partition wall.

Preferably, the heating means is located in the first compartment. In another aspect of the invention the heating means comprises a heat exchanger configured for exchanging heat from a heated heat exchange fluid in the heat exchanger to air urged through the heat exchanger by the urging means.

In an alternative aspect of the invention the heating means comprises an electrically powered heating element. Preferably, the electrically powered heating element comprises an electrical resistive heating element.

In one aspect of the invention the air urging means and the air outlet slot are configured so that the air is urged through the air outlet slot at a velocity in the range of 0.5 metres per second to 3.7 metres per second. Preferably, the air urging means and the air outlet slot are configured so that the air is urged through the air outlet slot at a velocity in the range of 0.5 metres per second to 2 metres per second. Advantageously, the air urging means and the air outlet slot are configured so that the air is urged through the air outlet slot at a velocity in the range of 0.5 metres per second to 1.5 metres per second, and preferably, the air is urged through the air outlet slot at an average velocity of approximately 1.5 metres per second. The invention also provides a method for controlling the air temperature in a room or office, the method comprising locating the apparatus according to the invention on an upstanding wall of the room or office, and operating the air urging means to urge the air through the air outlet slot at a velocity in the range of 0.3 metres per second to 3.7 metres per second. In one aspect of the invention the air urging means is operated to urge the air through the air outlet slot at a velocity in the range of 0.5 metres per second to 2 metres per second. Preferably, the air urging means is operated to urge the air through the air outlet slot at a velocity in the range of 0.5 metres per second to 1.5 metres per second, and advantageously, at an average velocity of approximately 1.5 metres per second.

In another aspect of the invention the air urging means is operated on start-up of the apparatus for a first predefined time period to urge the air through the air outlet slot at a velocity sufficient to determine the temperature of the air in the room or office. Preferably, the air urging means is operated on start-up of the apparatus for urging the air through the air outlet slot for the first predefined time period at a velocity in the range of 0.8 metres per second to 1.2 metres per second, and advantageously, at a velocity of approximately 1.0 metres per second. Advantageously, the first predefined time period lies in the range of 0.5 minutes to 1.5 minutes. Ideally, the first predefined time period is approximately 1 minute.

In one aspect of the invention the air urging means is operated to urge the air through the air outlet slot at a velocity in the range of 1.5 metres per second to 3.7 metres per second until the difference between the air temperature in the room and the selected air temperature reaches 0°C. Preferably, the air urging means is operated to urge the air through the air outlet slot at a velocity in the range of 1.5 metres per second to 2 metres per second until the difference between the air temperature in the room and the selected air temperature reaches 0°C. Advantageously, the air urging means is operated to urge the air through the air outlet slot at an average velocity of 1.5 metres per second until the difference between the temperature of the air in the room and the selected air temperature reaches 0°C. In one aspect of the invention the air urging means is operated to urge the air through the air outlet slot at a velocity in the range of 0.3 metres per second to 0.7 metres per second to maintain the air in the room or office at the selected temperature. Preferably, the air urging means is operated to urge the air through the air outlet slot at a velocity of approximately 0.5 metres per second to maintain the air in the room or office at the selected temperature.

The advantages of the invention are many. A particularly important advantage of the invention is that wasteful heating ceiling space cold draughts at floor level in a room or office being heated by the apparatus according to the invention are minimised and in many cases eliminated. This is achieved by the apparatus by virtue of the air outlet slot from the housing extending substantially around the periphery of the housing, and in particular by virtue of the air outlet slot being located adjacent the front face of the housing. This advantage is further enhanced when the air outlet slot extends completely around the outer periphery of the housing adjacent the front face of the housing. By virtue of the fact that the air outlet slot extends around the housing and is located adjacent the front face of the housing and the heated air is directed from the air outlet slot in a direction generally forwardly from the housing and diverging forwardly outwardly from the housing, heated air is directed from the housing in generally sidewardly forwardly directions and generally upwardly forwardly and generally downwardly forwardly directions. By virtue of the heated air being directed downwardly forwardly from the apparatus towards the floor of a room or office, heated air passes along the floor thus essentially eliminating cold drafts along the floor. A further important advantage of the invention is achieved by minimising mixing of the air being directed from the air outlet slot and air being returned and drawn into the apparatus through the air inlet opening.

Additionally, by configuring the urging means for urging the air through the air outlet slot and by configuring the dimensions of the air outlet slot so that the air is urged through the air outlet slot at an average speed in the order of 1.5 metres per second, natural convection of air upwardly is minimised, thereby most of the air outputted from the apparatus is maintained at a lower level in the room or office where it is required adjacent the occupants of the room or office.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a space heating and/or cooling apparatus according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the space heating and/pr cooling apparatus of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3 is a front eievational view of the space heating and/or cooling apparatus of Fig. 1 ,

Fig.4 is a top plan view of the space heating and/or cooling apparatus of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a side eievational view of the space heating and/or cooling apparatus of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the space heating and/or cooling apparatus of Fig. 1,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of another portion of the space heating and/or cooling apparatus of Fig. 1,

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the space heating and/or cooling apparatus of Fig. 1 on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 3,

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional side eievational view of the space heating and/or cooling apparatus of Fig. 1 on the line IX-IX of Fig. 3,

Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional side eievational view of a detail of the space heating and/or cooling apparatus of Fig. 1,

Fig. 11 is a further enlarged cross-sectional view of the detail of Fig. 9 of the space heating and/or cooling apparatus of Fig. 1,

Fig. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another detail of the space heating and/or cooling apparatus of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 13 is a circuit diagram of a control circuit of the space heating and/or cooling apparatus of Fig. 1. Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a space temperature controlling apparatus according to the invention, which in this embodiment of the invention comprises a space heating and/or cooling apparatus indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, for heating and/or cooling a room of a building, for example, a reception room, a kitchen, a bedroom, a hall or the like of a domestic dwelling, or an office in an office building, or a location in an industrial plant. The space heating and/or cooling apparatus 1 is configured for exchanging heat between a heat exchange fluid, typically heat exchange water from a heat source or a cooling source with air passed through the space heating and/or cooling apparatus 1.

The space heating and/or cooling apparatus 1 comprises a housing 3 of plastics material configured for mounting on a wall or the ceiling of a building, and more commonly for mounting on a vertically standing wall 5 of a building as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

The housing 3 is of rectangle shape when viewed from the front, and comprises a rear wall 6, a front panel 8 and a partition wall 9 located between the rear wall 6 and the front panel 8 and spaced apart from both the rear wall 6 and the front panel 8 as will be described below. A peripheral side wall 10 extends between the rear wall 6 and the partition wall 9 and comprises a pair of spaced apart side walls 11 , a top wall 12 which joins the side walls 11 adjacent the top thereof, and a spaced apart bottom wall 13 which joins the side walls 11 adjacent the lower ends thereof. The side walls 11, the top wall 12 and the bottom wall 13 are integrally formed with the rear wall 6 and extend forwardly from the rear wall 6 to the partition wall 9 in a generally forwardly outwardly diverging direction.

The partition wall 9 is secured to the side walls 11 , the top wall 12 and the bottom wall 13 around the periphery 14 of the partition wall 9 by suitable snap-fit connectors (not shown). The front panel 8 is releasably secured to the partition wall 9 by permanent magnets 15, as will be described in more detail below, located in tubular mountings 16 extending forwardly from the partition wall 9, which space the front panel 8 apart from the partition wall 9. A peripheral wall 17 extends around the periphery 14 of the partition wall 9 and extends from the partition wall 9 in a generally forwardly outwardly diverging direction past the front panel 8 as will be described below. The housing 3 defines a hollow interior region 19 which is formed between the rear wall 6, the front panel 8, the peripheral side wall 10 and the peripheral wall 17. The hollow interior region 19 is divided by the partition wall 9 into an upstream first compartment 20 and a downstream second compartment 22, which communicates with the first compartment 20 through a communicating opening 23 extending through the partition wall 9. An air inlet comprising a plurality of spaced apart air inlet openings 24 are formed in the side walls 11, the top wall 12 and the bottom wall 13 of the peripheral side wall 10 for accommodating air into the first compartment 20.

An air outlet comprising an elongated air outlet slot 25 for accommodating air from the second compartment 22 is defined. between a peripheral edge 26 of the front panel 8 and the peripheral wall 17 extending around the periphery 14 of the partition wall 9, and in this embodiment of the invention the air outlet slot 25 extends completely around the front panel 8 adjacent a forward periphery 27 of the housing 3.

A heat exchange element, in this case a heat exchanger 28 is located in the first compartment 20 and extends around a periphery 29 of the first compartment 20 adjacent the peripheral side wall 10. The heat exchanger 28 comprises a plurality of heat exchange fluid carrying tubes 30 which extend around the periphery 29 of the first compartment 20. A plurality of spaced apart heat exchange fins 32 extend transversely relative to the tubes 30, and through which the tubes 30 extend for exchanging heat between the heat exchange fluid passing through the tubes 30 and air passing through the first compartment 20 through the heat exchanger 28. The heat exchange fluid carrying tubes 30 extend between an inlet manifold 33 and an outlet manifold 34.

An inlet pipe 35 extending from the inlet manifold 33 is adapted for coupling to a supply pipe from which the heat exchange fluid is received and delivered to the heat exchanger 28 from a heating or cooling source. An outlet pipe 36 extends from the outlet manifold 34 and is adapted for coupling to a return pipe through which the heat exchange fluid is returned from the heat exchanger 28 to the heating or cooling source: The source of the heat exchange fluid may be a heat source, for example, a boiler/burner unit, or a cooling source, such as a chiller. In both cases the heat exchange fluid, typically, will be water or a water/propylene glycol solution.

An air urging means in this embodiment of the invention provided by a fan/motor assembly 31 comprises a fan 38 driven by a variable speed electric motor 37 and is located in the communicating opening 23 in the partition wall 9 for urging air from the first compartment 20 into the second compartment 22, and in turn for drawing air into the first compartment 20 through the air inlet openings 24, through the heat exchanger 28, and in turn for urging the air from the second compartment 22 through the air outlet slot 25. In this embodiment of the invention the fan 38 is a backward curved fan through which air is drawn axially inwardly into the fan 38 from the first compartment 20 and is delivered radially outwardly from the fan 38 into the second compartment 22. In this embodiment of the invention the motor 37 is an a/c motor without an internal capacitor, and comprises a three phase inverter through which the motor 37 is suitable for powering by a 220 volt AC mains electricity power supply, in order to provide speed control over a full range from 0% to 100% of full speed. The fan/motor assembly 31 is supported on four spaced apart support members 21 extending forwardly from the rear wall 6 of the housing 3. Turning now to tubular mountings 16, and referring in particular to Fig. 11, four spaced apart tubular mountings 16 located at the four corners of an imaginary rectangle extend from the partition wall 9. Each tubular mounting 16 contains one of the permanent magnets 15 retained in a bore 39 within the tubular mounting 16 by a corresponding screw 40 engaged in a bore 41 of a spigot 42 extending from the partition wall 9 into the bore 39 of the tubular mounting 16. The magnets 15 co-operate with corresponding abutment members 43 of magnetic material secured by screws 44 in bores 45 extending into corresponding plug elements 46 extending from the front panel 8. The plug elements 46 of the front panel 8 are engageable with the bores 39 in the corresponding tubular mountings 16, and are retained in the tubular mountings 16 by the co-operating action of the magnets 15 with the abutment members 43, for in turn releasably retaining the front panel 8 secured to the housing 3. The plug elements 46 are configured to be relatively tight sliding fits in the bones 39 of the corresponding tubular elements 16.

Turning now to the air outlet slot 25, the air outlet slot 25 as discussed above is defined between the peripheral edge 26 of the front panel 8 and the peripheral wall 17 extending around and forwardly from the partition wall 9. The peripheral edge 26 of the front panel 8 forms an inner periphery 52 of the air outlet slot 25. The peripheral wall 17 forms an outer periphery 54 of the air outlet slot 25.

A guide means for directing the air from the second compartment 22 through the air outlet slot 25 to diverge forwardly outwardly of the front panel 8 comprises an air guiding surface 48 which is formed by an inner surface 49 of the peripheral wall 17 extending forwardly from the partition wall 9. The air guiding surface 48 extends in a downstream direction relative to the direction of airflow through the air outlet slot 25 from an upstream curved portion, namely, an upstream curved surface 50 to a downstream end 51. The upstream curved surface 50 joins the air guiding surface 48 with an upstream surface 53 of the partition wall 9. The air guiding surface 48 extending downstream from the upstream curved surface 50 defines with the upstream surface 53 extending upstream from the upstream curved surface 50 an obtuse angle a, which in this embodiment of the invention is approximately 120°, which results in the air as it passes through the second compartment 22 along the partition wall 9 and the peripheral wall 17 being gradually turned through an angle of approximately 60°.

The air guiding surface 48 which extends downstream from the upstream curved surface 50 diverges in a generally forwardly outwardly direction, for in turn directing the air as it passes through the air outlet slot 25 to similarly diverge forwardly outwardly from the front panel 8. This in turn results in the air being delivered from the air outlet slot 25 more evenly into the room so that the air from the space heating and/or cooling apparatus 1 is more evenly distributed throughout the room. In particular, since the air being delivered through the lower portion of the air outlet slot 25 diverges forwardly outwardly from the front panel 8, the air being delivered through the lower portion of the air outlet slot 25 is directed downwardly from the space heating and/or cooling apparatus 1 towards the floor, thereby resulting in the air delivered from the apparatus 1 through the lower portion of the air outlet slot 25 passing along the floor, which thus minimises cold draughts along the floor when the heat exchanger 28 is connected to a heating source. The downstream end 51 of the air guiding surface 48 extends forwardly beyond the air outlet slot 25, and this it has been found further assists in ensuring that the air being delivered through the air outlet slot 25 diverges forwardly outwardly from the air outlet slot 25. Essentially, the upstream curved surface 50 of the air guiding surface 48 gradually turns the air which is directed radially from the fan 38 into the second compartment 22 through the angle of approximately 60°, so that the air exits the air outlet slot 25 at an effective fan angle of approximately 60°.

The air guiding surface 48, the upstream curved surface 50 and the upstream surface 53 formed by the peripheral wall 17 and the partition wall 9 are of a smooth texture in order to minimise turbulence of the air passing through the air outlet slot 25.

I n this embodiment of the invention the width w of the air outlet slot 25 is approximately 2mm in order to minimise the transmission of noise from the fan 38 and also noise of the air being drawn through the heat exchanger 28 and through the fan 38. It is believed that by maintaining the width w of the air outlet slot 25 to be less than 3mm, and preferably, 2mm or less, the transmission of fan noise through the air outlet slot is virtually eliminated. It is believed that the reason for this is that in general the frequency of fan generated noise is in the order of 500Hz to 1 ,50OHz, and thus, once the width w of the air outlet slot 25 is less than the wavelength of the fan generated noise, the transmission of fan generated noise through the air outlet slot 25 is significantly attenuated. By virtue of the fact that the air guiding surface 48 of the peripheral wall 17 extending from the partition wall 9 delivers the air through the air outlet slot 25 diverging forwardly outwardly of the air outlet slot 25 at an effective fan angle of approximately 60°, further minimises any heat exchanging effect which air being drawn towards the air inlet openings 24 might have on the air being delivered from the air outlet slot 25. Additionally, in this embodiment of the invention the peripheral side wall 10 is inclined inwardly rearwardly towards the rear wall 6, or put another way diverges forwardly outwardly from the rear wall 6, and the air inlet openings 24 are provided in the inwardly inclined portion of the peripheral side wall 10, thereby further enhancing the segregation of the air being drawn towards the air inlet openings 24 from the air being delivered through the air outlet slot 25. The air inlet openings 24 as discussed above are provided in the side walls 11, the top wall 12 and the bottom wall 13 of the peripheral side wall 10, and are evenly distributed around the peripheral side wall 10, so that air is drawn into the first compartment 20 uniformly through the peripheral side wall 10, and in turn is drawn uniformly through the heat exchanger 28.

Additionally, the motor 37 and the fan 38 of the fan/motor assembly 31 are sized so that the air is urged through the air outlet slot 25 at velocities in the range of 0.5 metres per second to 3.5 metres per second, in order to minimise natural upward convection of air heated by the space heating and/or cooling apparatus 1 when the heat exchanger 28 is connected to a heat source. By urging the air through the air outlet slot 25 at velocities at or above 1.5 metres per second, natural upward convection of heated air is minimised, thereby ensuring that the location in the room or office where the heated air is most required, namely, at the level of the occupants in the room or office, is rapidly heated on start-up of the apparatus 1, and further, ensures that the warmest air is maintained in the room or office at the level of the occupants of the room or office, where it is required.:

A control panel 55 is formed in a sub-housing 56 in the top wall 12. The control panel 55 comprises an electronic control circuit 47 which comprises a microcontroller 59 and input switches 57 for controlling the operation and speed of the fan 38, and for setting the temperature at which the air is to be maintained in the room or office, the temperature of which is to be controlled by the space heating and/or cooling apparatus 1. An air temperature sensor 58 is located on the bottom wall 13 in the first compartment 20 adjacent one of the air inlet openings 24 for monitoring the temperature of air being drawn into the first compartment 20 through the air inlet openings 24 in the bottom wall 13. A first heat exchange fluid : temperature sensor 60 and a second heat exchange fluid temperature sensor 61 are provided on the inlet pipe 35 and the outlet pipe 36, respectively, of the heat exchanger 28 for monitoring the flow and return temperatures of the heat exchange fluid. The microcontroller 59 of the electronic control circuit reads signals from the air temperature sensor 58 and the first and second heat exchange fluid temperature sensors 60 and 61 , and controls the speed of the fan motor 37 for in turn controlling the speed of the fan 38 for controlling the supply and temperature of air being delivered through the air outlet slot 25, in order to maintain the temperature of the air in the room or office at the selected temperature. A liquid crystal display screen 62 is also located on the control panel 55 for displaying the selected temperature, and the actual temperature read by the microcontroller 59 from the air temperature sensor 58.

At start-up the microcontroller 59 operates the motor 37 to operate the fan 38 for a first predefined time of one minute at a speed so that the air is urged through the air outlet slot 25 at a velocity of 1.0 metres per second. This one minute period is used to determine the difference between the actual temperature of the air being drawn into the housing from the room or office which is read by the microcontroller 59 from the air temperature sensor 58 and the selected temperature at which the air is to be maintained in the room or office by the space heating and/or cooling apparatus 1. The larger the difference between the temperature read from the air temperature sensor 58 and the selected air temperature, the faster the speed at which the motor 37 and in turn the fan 38 is operated by the microcontroller 59, generally, up to a maximum speed which results in the air being urged through the air outlet slot 25 at a velocity of 2 metres per second, although, in the case of a very large difference between the air temperature read from the air temperature sensor 58 and the selected temperature, the motor 37 and fan 38 may be operated under the control of the microcontroller 59 up to a speed, such that the air being urged through the air outlet slot 25 is urged at a velocity of 3.5 metres per second. However, until the temperature read from the air temperature sensor 58 reaches the selected temperature, the microcontroller 59 operates the motor 37 and in turn the fan 38 such that the air is urged through the outlet slot 25 at a velocity of not less than 1.5 metres per second. This, thus, ensures firstly that on start-up natural upward convection of the heated air is minimised, and the warmest air is maintained in the room or office at the level of the occupants of the room or office, and furthermore, the rate of heating of the room or office at the level of the occupants therein is maximised. Additionally, if the rate of increase of the temperature is relatively slow to reach the selected temperature, the microcontroller 59 also operates the motor 37 and in turn the fan 38 so that the air is urged through the air outlet slot 25 at a velocity of 2 metres per second and greater. Once the temperature read from the air temperature sensor 58 has reached the selected temperature, the microcontroller 59 operates the motor 37 and in turn^' the fan 38 at a reduced speed so that the air is urged through the air outlet slot 25 at a velocity of approximately 0.5 metres per second until the temperature read from the air temperature sensor 58 commences to drop below the selected temperature, at which stage the microcontroller 59 again operates the motor 37 and in turn the fan 38 at a speed so that the air is urged through the air outlet slot 25 at a velocity of approximately 1.5 metres per second. It has been found that by urging the air through the air outlet slot 25 at a velocity as low as 0.5 metres per second, natural upward convection of the heated air is minimised. In use, with the space heating and/or cooling apparatus 1 fully assembled and secured to a vertical wall or ceiling of a room, the air temperature of which is to be controlled by the space heating and/or cooling apparatus 1 , and with a mains AC electrical power supply connected to the space heating and/or cooling apparatus 1 , and the heat exchanger 28 connected to a heating or cooling source (neither of which are shown), or selectively and alternately connected between both a heating source and a cooling source, the space heating and/or cooling apparatus 1 is ready for use. The temperature at which the room or office is to be maintained is entered through the appropriate one of the input switches 57 in the control panel 55. The microcontroller 59 controls the operation of the motor 37 of the fan 38 in response to the air temperature of the air being drawn through the air inlet openings 24 read from the air temperature sensor 58 as already described when the apparatus 1 is connected to a heat source. Additionally, the microcontroller 59 reads the inlet and outlet temperatures of the heat exchange fluid read from the first and second heat exchange fluid sensors 60 and 61, respectively, and depending on the temperature values read from the first and second heat exchange fluid sensors 60 and 61 may increase or decrease the speed of the motor 37, and in turn the fan 38, or deactivate the motor 37 and in turn the fan 38 in the event of the temperature of the heat exchange fluid in the heat exchanger being inadequate to maintain the temperature of the air in the room or office at the selected temperature.

Additionally, the microcontroller 59 is programmed to prevent activation of the motor 37 and in turn the fan 38 until the temperature of the heat exchange fluid read from the first heat exchange fluid temperature sensor 60 reaches a first predefined temperature, which in the case of the space heating and/or cooling apparatus 1 being configured for space heating, in this embodiment of the invention is 28°C. The

: microcontroller 59 is also programmed to deactivate the motor 37 and in turn the fan 38 in the event of the temperature of the heat exchange fluid read from the first heat exchange fluid temperature sensor 60 falling below 28°C when the heating and/or cooling apparatus 1 is configured for space heating.

The microcontroller 59 is programmed on start-up to read the temperatures from the first and second heat exchange fluid temperature sensors 60 and 61 , when heated heat exchange fluid is supplied to the space heating and/or cooling apparatus 1 at a temperature greater than 28°C, to ensure that the inlet and outlet pipes 35 and 36 are correctly connected to the heat source. A similar start-up check is carried out by the microcontroller 59 to ensure that the heat exchanger 28 is correctly connected to a chilling source.

While the space heating and/or cooling apparatus has been described as comprising a heat exchanger, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the apparatus may be provided as a heating apparatus only, and in which case any suitable heating means may be provided. The heating means may be a heat exchanger, or it may be a heater, for example, an electrically powered or a gas powered heater. In cases where the heating means comprises an electrically powered heater, such as an electrical resistive heating element, the heating element typically would be configured to extend around the periphery of the first compartment adjacent the peripheral side wall of the housing in a substantially similar manner to that in which the heat exchanger extends around the periphery of the first compartment.

While the heat exchanger has been described as extending substantially completely around the first compartment adjacent the peripheral side wall, thereof, while this is desirable, it is not essential, and in certain cases, a single heat exchanger located adjacent either the top wall, the bottom wall or one or both of the side walls may be provided for heating or cooling the air being drawn into the first compartment. In which case air inlet openings would only be provided in the wall or walls adjacent which the heat exchanger is located. While the space heating and/or cooling apparatus has been described for the purpose of space heating, it will also be appreciated that the space heating and/or cooling apparatus may be provided for the purpose of cooling or chilling the air in an area, the air temperature of which is to be cooled or chilled, and in which case, the heat exchangers would be connected to a source of chilled heat exchange fluid, typically, chilled heat exchange water, which may include an antifreeze agent, such as propylene glycol.

It will also be appreciated that any other suitable means for securing the front panel to the housing may be used. While the air guiding surface of the peripheral wall extending from and around the partition wall has been described as extending at an obtuse angle of approximately 120° from the upstream surface 53 of the air guiding surface, the air guiding surface may extend at any desired angle, greater or less than 120°, relative to the upstream surface 53.

While the air inlet openings have been described as being provided spaced apart completely around the peripheral side wall of the housing, in certain cases, air inlet openings need only be provided in one or both of the side walls, or for example, in the bottom wall only, or in one or both of the side walls, or in the top wall, or in the top and bottom wall.

Needless to say, the housing of the space heating and/or cooling apparatus may be of any other desired shape besides square or rectangular, for example, the housing of the space heating and/or cooling apparatus may be of circular shape, and in which case the air outlet slot 25 would be circular extending around the circular periphery of the housing.

It is also envisaged that while it is desirable that the air outlet slot should extend completely around the periphery of either the housing or the front panel, this is not essential, and in certain cases, it is envisaged that the air outlet slot may not necessarily extend completely around the periphery of the housing or the periphery of the front panel.

Claims

1. A space temperature controlling apparatus comprising a housing defining a hollow interior region, a heat exchange element located in the hollow interior region, an air inlet to the hollow interior region and an air outlet from the hollow interior region, an urging means for urging air from the air inlet to

5 the air outlet through the hollow interior region and the heat exchange element, wherein the air outlet is defined by an elongated air outlet slot extending around at least a substantial part of the housing adjacent a front face thereof adjacent a periphery of the housing, and is configured to direct air in a generally forwardly diverging direction from the front face of the housing, and the air inlet is located in the housing rearwardly of the air outlet slot and is configured relative to the air outlet slot to minimise mixing of airo being urged from the air outlet slot with air being drawn towards the air inlet exteriorly of the housing.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the air outlet slot extends completely around the periphery of the housing. 5

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the air outlet slot extends around the front face of the housing adjacent the periphery thereof.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the air outlet slot is dimensioned to minimise noise resulting from the air urging means.

0

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the air outlet slot is of width transversely across the air outlet slot not greater than 3mm.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the air outlet slot is of width transversely5 across the air outlet slot not greater than 2.5mm.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the air out slot is of width transversely across the air outlet slot not greater than 2mm. 0

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the air outlet slot is of width transversely across the air outlet slot of approximately 1.7mm.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which a guide means is provided for guiding the air through the air outlet slot in the generally forwardly outwardly diverging direction relative to the front face of the housing.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 in which the guide means comprises a peripheral wall of the housing having an air guiding surface defining an outer periphery of the air outlet slot.

11, Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 in which the air guiding surface diverges outwardly in a, generally downstream direction relative to the direction of air flow through the air outlet slot.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 or 11 in which the air guiding surface extends outwardly from the air outlet slot in the generally downstream diverging direction.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 12 in which the air guiding surface terminates in a downstream end spaced apart downstream of the air outlet slot.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 13 in which the air guiding surface extends from the air outlet slot in a generally upstream direction relative to the direction of air flow through the air outlet slot.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 14 in which the air guiding surface terminates in an upstream curved portion spaced apart upstream from the air outlet, the upstream curved portion being configured for turning the air through an angle greater than zero towards the air outlet slot.

16. -Apparatus as claimed in Claim 15 in which the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface is configured for turning the air through an angle greater than 30°.

17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 15 or 16 in which the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface is configured for turning the air through an angle of approximately 60°.

18. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 17 in which the air guiding surface extending downstream from the upstream curved portion thereof defines with the upstream portion of the air guiding surface extending upstream from the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface an obtuse angle lying in the range of 100°

19. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 18 in which the obtuse angle defined by the air guiding surface extending downstream from the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface and the upstream portion of the air guiding surface extending upstream from the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface lies in the range of 110° to 140°.

20. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 19 in which the obtuse angle defined by the air guiding surface extending downstream from the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface and the upstream portion of the air guiding surface extending upstream from the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface is approximately 120°.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 20 in which the air guiding surface comprises a smooth surface to minimise turbulent flow through the air outlet slot.

22. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the housing comprises a front panel defining the front face of the housing, the front panel having a peripheral edge extending at least partly around the front panel and defining an inner periphery of the air outlet slot.

23. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 22 in which the peripheral edge of the front panel co-operates with the air guiding surface and is located relative to the air guiding surface intermediate the downstream end of the air guiding surface and the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface and spaced apart from the downstream end of the air guiding surface and the upstream curved portion thereof.

24. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 22 or 23 in which the peripheral edge of the front panel extends completely around the front panel.

25. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 22 to 24 in which the front panel is one of rectangular shape and square shape.

26. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the air inlet comprises at least one air inlet opening located in a peripheral side wall of the housing, the at least one air inlet opening being spaced apart rearwardly from the air outlet slot.

27. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 26 in which a plurality of the air inlet openings are spaced apart around the peripheral side wall of the housing.

28. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 26 or 27 in which the peripheral side wall of the housing in which the at least one air inlet opening is located is angled in a general direction towards the front face of the . housing in a generally forwardly outwardly diverging direction.

29. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the heat exchange element is located adjacent the periphery of the hollow interior region of the housing.

30. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the heat exchange element extends substantially around the hollow interior region within the housing.

^■ 31. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the heat exchange element is located substantially adjacent the peripheral side wall of the housing.

32. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the heat exchange element is located adjacent the air inlet.

33. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the heat exchange element is configured for accommodating a heat exchange fluid therethrough for exchanging heat between the heat exchange fluid and air being drawn through the heat exchange element.

34. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the heat exchange element comprises a plurality of spaced apart heat exchange fluid carrying tubes, and a plurality of spaced apart parallel heat exchange fins extending transversely of the heat exchange fluid carrying tubes.

35. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the heat exchange element is configured for connecting alternately to a heat source for receiving heated heat exchange fluid therefrom and a cooling source for receiving cooled heat exchange fluid therefrom.

36. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the heat exchange element is configured for accommodating a liquid heat exchange fluid therethrough.

37. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the heat exchange fluid comprises heat exchange water.

38. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the urging means is located between the heat exchange element and the air outlet slot.

39. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which a partition wall is located in the hollow interior region dividing the hollow interior region into an upstream first compartment and a downstream second compartment, the first and second compartments communicating with each other through a communicating opening extending through the partition wall.

40. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 39 in which the heat exchange element is located in the first compartment.

41. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 39 or 40 in which the air urging means is located in the communicating opening extending through the partition wall.

42. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 39 to 41 in which the air urging means is configured to draw air in from the first compartment in an axial direction, and to discharge the air into the second compartment in a radial direction.

43. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 39 to 42 in which the air outlet slot communicates with the second compartment, and the air is delivered from the second compartment through the air outlet slot.

44. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the air urging means comprises a fan.

45. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the air urging means comprises a variable speed fan.

46. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the air urging means comprises an electric motor driven fan.

47. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the housing comprises a rear wall spaced apart from the front panel, the partition wall being located between the front panel and the rear wall, and is spaced apart from the front panel and the rear panel, and the peripheral side wall extends between the rear wall and the partition wall and defining with the rear wall and the partition wall the first compartment, and the peripheral wall defining with the partition wall and the front wall the second compartment. ·. :

48. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the housing is of one of rectangular shape and square shape when viewed from the front.

49. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the housing is configured for mounting on a wall of a room.

50. A space heating apparatus comprising a housing defining a hollow interior region, a heating means located in the hollow interior region, an air inlet to the hollow interior region and an air outlet from the hollow interior region, an urging means for urging air from the air inlet to the air outlet through the hollow interior region and the heating means, wherein the air outlet is defined by an elongated air outlet . slot extending around at least a substantial part of the housing adjacent a front face thereof and adjacent the periphery of the housing, and is configured to direct air in a generally forwardly diverging direction from the front face of the housing, and the air inlet is located in the housing rearwardly of the air outlet slot and is configured relative to the air outlet slot to minimise mixing of air being urged from the air outlet slot with air being drawn towards the air inlet exteriorly of the housing.

51. A space heating apparatus as claimed in Claim 50 in which the air outlet slot extends completely around the periphery of the housing.

52. A space heating apparatus as claimed in Claim 50 or 51 in which the air outlet slot extends around the front face of the housing adjacent the periphery thereof.

53. - A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 52 in which the air outlet slot is dimensioned to minimise noise resulting from the air urging means.

5 A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 53 in which the air outlet slot is of width transversely across the air outlet slot not greater than 3mm.

55. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 54 in which the air outlet slot is of width transversely across the air outlet slot not greater than 2.5mm.

56. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 55 in which the air out slot is of width transversely across the air outlet slot not greater than 2mm.

57. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 56 in which the air outlet slot is of width transversely across the air outlet slot of approximately 1.7mm.

58. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 57 in which a guide means is provided for guiding the air through the air outlet slot in the generally forwardly outwardly diverging direction relative to the front face of the housing.

59. A space heating apparatus as claimed in Claim 58 in which the guide means comprises a peripheral wall of the housing having an air guiding surface defining an outer periphery of the air outlet slot. .

60. A space heating apparatus as claimed in Claim 59 in which the air guiding surface diverges outwardly in a generally downstream direction relative to the direction of air flow through the air outlet slot.

61. A space heating apparatus as claimed in Claim 59 or 60 in which the air guiding surface extends outwardly from the air outlet slot in the generally downstream diverging direction.

62. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 59 to 61 in which the air guiding surface terminates in a downstream end spaced apart downstream of the air outlet slot.

63. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 59 to 62 in which the air guiding surface extends from the air outlet slot in a generally upstream direction relative to the direction of air flow through the air outlet slot.

64. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 59 to 63 in which the air guiding surface terminates in an upstream curved portion spaced apart upstream from the air outlet, the upstream curved portion being configured for turning the air through an angle greater than zero towards the air outlet slot.

65. A space heating apparatus as claimed in Claim 64 in which the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface is configured for turning the air through an angle greater than 30°.

66. A space heating apparatus as claimed in Claim 64 or 65 in which the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface is configured for turning the air through an angle of approximately 60°.

67. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 64 to 66 in which the air guiding surface extending downstream from the upstream curved portion thereof defines with the upstream portion of the air guiding surface extending upstream from the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface an obtuse angle lying in the range of 100° to 150°.

68. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 64 to 67 in which the obtuse angle ^■, defined by the air guiding surface extending downstream from the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface and the upstream portion of the air guiding surface extending upstream from the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface lies in the range of 110° to 140°.

69; A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 64 to 68 in which the obtuse angle defined by the air guiding surface extending downstream from the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface and the upstream portion of the air guiding surface extending upstream from the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface is approximately 120°.

70. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 59 to 69 in which the air guiding surface comprises a smooth surface to minimise turbulent flow through the air outlet slot.

71. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 70 in which the housing comprises a front panel defining the front face of the housing, the front panel having a peripheral edge extending at least partly around the front panel and defining an inner periphery of the air outlet slot.

72. A space heating apparatus as claimed in Claim 71 in which the peripheral edge of the front panel co-operates with the air guiding surface and is located relative to the air guiding surface intermediate the downstream end of the air guiding surface and the upstream curved portion of the air guiding surface and spaced apart from the downstream end of the air guiding surface and the upstream curved portion thereof.

73. A space heating apparatus as claimed in Claim 71 or 72 in which the peripheral edge of the front panel extends completely around the front panel.

74. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 71 to 73 in which the front panel is one of rectangular shape and square shape.

75. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 74 in which the air inlet comprises at least one air inlet opening located in a peripheral side wall of the housing, the at least one air inlet opening being spaced apart rearwardly from the air outlet slot.

76. : A space heating apparatus as claimed in Claim 75 in which a plurality of air inlet openings are spaced apart around a peripheral side wall of the housing.

77. . A space heating apparatus as claimed in Claim 75 or 76 in which the peripheral side wall. of the housing in which the at least one air inlet opening is located is angled in a general direction towards the front face of the housing in a generally forwardly outwardly diverging direction.

78. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 77 in which the heating means is located adjacent the periphery of the hollow interior region of the housing.

79. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 78 in which the heating means extends substantially around the hollow interior region within the housing thereof.

80. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 79 in which the heating means is located substantially adjacent the peripheral side wall of the housing.

81. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 80 in which the heating means is located adjacent the air inlet.

82. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 81 in which the urging means is located between the heating means and the air outlet slot.

83. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 82 in which a partition wall is located in the hollow interior region dividing the hollow interior region into an upstream first compartment and a downstream second compartment, the first and second compartments communicating with each other through a communicating opening extending through the partition wall.

84. A space heating apparatus as claimed in Claim 83 in which the heating means is located in the first compartment.

85. A space heating apparatus as claimed in Claim 83 or 84 in which the air urging means is located in the communicating opening extending through the partition wall.

86. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 83 to 85 in which the air urging means is configured to draw air in from the first compartment in an axial direction, and to discharge the air into the second compartment in a radial direction.

87. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 86 in which the air urging means comprises a fan.

88. . A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 87 in which the air urging means comprises a variable speed fan.

89, A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 88 in which the air urging means comprises an electric motor driven fan.

90. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 89 in which the housing comprises a rear wall spaced apart from the front panel, the partition wall being located between the front panel and the rear wall, and spaced apart from the front panel and the rear wall, the peripheral side wall extends between the rear wall and the partition wall, and defines with the rear wall and the partition wall the first compartment, and the peripheral wall extending around the partition wall defines with the partition wall and the front panel the second compartment.

91. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 90 in which the housing is of one of rectangular shape and square shape when viewed from the front.

■ 92. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 91 in which the heating means comprises a heat exchanger configured for exchanging heat from a heated heat exchange fluid in the heat exchanger to air urged through the heat exchanger by the urging means.

93. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 91 in which the heating means comprises an electrically powered heating element.

94. A space heating apparatus as claimed in Claim 93 in which the electrically powered heating element comprises an electrical resistive heating element.

95. A space heating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 94 configured for mounting on a wall of a room.

.

96. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the air urging means and the air outlet slot are configured so that the air is urged through the air outlet slot at a velocity in the range of 0.5 metres per second to 3.7 metres per second.

97. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the air urging means and the air outlet slot are configured so that the air is urged through the air outlet slot at a velocity in the range of 0.5 metres per second to 2 metres per second.

98. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the air urging means and the air outlet slot are configured so that the air is urged through the air outlet slot at a velocity in the range of 0.5 metres per second to 1.5 metres per second.

99. A method for controlling the air temperature in a room or office, the method comprising locating the apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim on an upstanding wall of the room or office, and operating the air urging means to urge the air through the air outlet slot at a velocity in the range of 0.3 metres per second to 3.7 metres per second.

100. A method as claimed in Claim 99 in which the air urging means is operated to urge the air through the air outlet slot at a velocity in the range of 0.5 metres per second to 0.2 metres per second.

101. A method as claimed in Claim 99 or 100 in which the air urging means is operated to urge the air through the air outlet slot at a velocity in the range of 0.5 metres per second to 1.5 metres per second.

102. A method as claimed in any of Claims 99 to 101 in which the air urging means is operated on start-up of the apparatus for a first predefined time period to urge the air through the air outlet slot at a velocity sufficient to determine the temperature of the air in the room or office.

103. A method as claimed in Claim 102 in which the air urging means is operated on start-up of the apparatus for urging the air through the air outlet slot for the first predefined time period at a velocity of approximately 1.0 metres per second.

104. A method as claimed in Claim 102 or 103 in which the first predefined time period lies in the range of 0.5 minutes to 1.5 minutes.

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105. A method as claimed in any of Claims 102 to 104 in which the first predefined time period is approximately 1 minute.

106. A method as claimed in any of Claims 99 to 105 in which the air urging means is operated to urge the air through the air outlet slot at a velocity in the range of 1.5 metres per second to 3.7 metres per second until the difference between the air temperature in the room and the selected air temperature reaches 0°C. ^■

107. A method as claimed in any of Claims 99 to 106 in which the air urging means is operated to urge the air through the air outlet slot at a velocity in the range of 1.5 metres per second to 2 metres per second until the difference between the air temperature in the room and the selected air temperature reaches 0°C.

108. A method as claimed in any of Claims 99 to 107 in which the air urging means is operated to urge the air through the air outlet slot at an average velocity of 1.5 metres per second until the difference between the temperature of the air in the room and the selected air temperature reaches 0°C.

109. A method as claimed in any of Claims 99 to 108 in which the air urging means is operated to urge the air through the air outlet slot at a velocity in the range of 0:3 metres per second to 0.7 metres per second to maintain the air in the room or office at the selected temperature.

110. A method as claimed in any of Claims 99 to 109 in which the air urging means is operated to urge the air through the air outlet slot at a velocity of approximately 0.5 metres per second to maintain the air in the room or office at the selected temperature.