Cove heater radiator apparatus and method

Abstract

An embodiment of the heater has a radiant panel, a heating element, a thermal dispersion gap, and an integral wire chase. A method of heating includes heating a radiant panel, having a thermal dispersion gap, with a heating element, and then directing the radiant heat emitted from the radiant panel towards an object.

1 . A heater, comprising: 
 a radiant panel;    a heating element attached to the radiant panel; and    a thermal dispersion gap in between the heating element and the front surface of the radiant panel.    
   
   
       2 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the heating element is located in a channel defined by the radiant panel.  
   
   
       3 . The heater of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermal barrier covering the rear surface of the radiant panel.  
   
   
       4 . The heater of  claim 1 , further comprising a wire chase integrated into the radiant panel.  
   
   
       5 . The heater of  claim 4 , wherein the wire chase is an enclosure defined by the back surface of the radiant panel and a hook-shaped flap.  
   
   
       6 . The heater of  claim 1 , further comprising a radiant coating on the front surface of the radiant panel.  
   
   
       7 . The heater of  claim 6 , wherein the coating is comprised of one of the following: a vitreous enamel or a powder coating.  
   
   
       8 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal dispersion gap is generally rectangular in shape with rounded edges.  
   
   
       9 . The heater of  claim 1 , further comprising a junction box with bracket holes and mounting rails for mounting the radiant panel on the junction box.  
   
   
       10 . The heater of  claim 1 , further comprising a capturing tab located on the back of the radiant panel.  
   
   
       11 . The heater of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one groove on the surface of the radiant panel that defines a channel for the heating element, for facilitating the staking of the heating element into the channel.  
   
   
       12 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal dispersion gap is defined by an interior surface of the radiant panel.  
   
   
       13 . The heater of  claim 1 , further comprising a bracket assembly configured to accommodate the lateral expansion of the cove heater.  
   
   
       14 . The heater of  claim 13 , wherein the bracket assembly comprises: 
 a bracket with at least one hole; and    a mounting plate with at least one projection, wherein the projection fits through the hole in the bracket and is configured to allow the bracket to translate along the projection.    
   
   
       15 . The heater of  claim 13 , wherein the bracket assembly comprises: 
 a mounting plate with a slot; and    a bracket with a projection configured to fit through the slot in the mounting plate.    
   
   
       16 . The heater of  claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate bracket configured to provide support to the heater, wherein the intermediate bracket comprises: 
 a base portion with at least one hole;    an upper arm extending from the base, and    a lower arm extending from the base.    
   
   
       17 . A heater, comprising: 
 a radiant panel;    a heating element attached to the radiant panel; and    a wire chase integrated into the radiant panel.    
   
   
       18 . The heater of  claim 17 , wherein the heating element is located in a channel defined by the radiant panel.  
   
   
       19 . The heater of  claim 17 , further comprising a thermal barrier covering the rear surface of the radiant panel.  
   
   
       20 . The heater of  claim 17 , further comprising a radiant coating on the front surface of the radiant panel.  
   
   
       21 . A method of heating comprising: 
 dispersing the heat generated by the heating element around a gap and across the surface of the radiant panel; and    radiating the heat from the surface of the radiant panel.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising running power through a wire located in an integrated wire chase in the radiant panel.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising reducing heat loss through the rear surface of the radiant panel with a thermal barrier.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising emitting radiant heat from a coating on the front surface of the radiant panel.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising mounting the radiant panel to a wall by fastening the radiant panel to a junction box with bracket holes and mounting rails.  
   
   
       26 . A method of heating comprising: 
 heating a radiant panel with a heating element;    running power through a wire located in an integrated wire chase in the radiant panel; and    radiating the heat from the surface of the radiant panel.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising reducing heat loss through the rear surface of the radiant panel with a thermal barrier.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising emitting radiant heat from a coating on the front surface of the radiant panel.  
   
   
       29 . A heater comprising: 
 a radiant panel;    a means for heating the radiant panel; and    a means for distributing heat across the radiant panel.    
   
   
       30 . The heater of  claim 29 , further comprising a means for integrating a wire crossover into the radiant panel.  
   
   
       31 . The heater of  claim 29 , further comprising a means for reducing the heat loss from the back side of the radiant panel.  
   
   
       32 . The heater of  claim 29 , further comprising a means for increasing the radiant heat emission from the radiant panel.  
   
   
       33 . The heater of  claim 29 , further comprising a means for mounting the radiant panel to a wall.