Convective heating device

Abstract

A heating device comprises a heater having a first surface and a second surface, with the second surface being generally opposite of the first surface. The heater is configured to receive an electrical current and convert it to heat. The heating device additionally includes at least one heat transfer assembly positioned along the first and/or second surface of the heater. In one embodiment, the heat transfer assembly includes a plurality of fins that generally define a plurality of fin spaces through which fluids may pass. In some arrangements, the heating device comprises an outer housing that at least partially surrounds the heater and one or more of the heat transfer assemblies. Heat generated by the heater is transferred to the fins of the heat transfer assembly. In addition, fluids passing through the fin spaces are selectively heated when electrical current is provided to the heater.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A heating device for heating fluid, comprising:
 a first heat transfer assembly comprising a plurality of heat transfer members, the heat transfer members defining a plurality of spaces through which fluid is selectively passed;   a base having a first side and a second side, said first side being generally opposite of said second side, wherein the base comprises a first end and a second end, said first end being located opposite of said second end;   wherein the plurality of heat transfer members extend from the first side of the base;   at least one electrical conducting member positioned along at least a portion of the second side of the base, the at least one electrical conducting member extending at least partially from the first end to the second end of the base, wherein the at least one electrical conducting member extending at least partially along or near a periphery of the base;   wherein the at least one electrical conducting member is configured to receive electrical current to produce heat;   an outer housing at least partially surrounding the first heat transfer assembly and the base, wherein said outer housing defines at least one partially enclosed space through which fluid is selectively passed;   wherein at least a portion of heat generated by electorally energizing the at least one electrical conducting member is transferred to the plurality of heat transfer members of the first heat transfer assembly; and   wherein heat is transferred to fluid directed through the spaces within the at least one partially enclosed space when electrical current is provided to the heating device.   
     
     
         12 . The heating device of  claim 11 , wherein heat transfer members comprise fins. 
     
     
         13 . The heating device of  claim 11 , wherein the first heat transfer assembly and the at least one electrical conducting member comprise a generally unitary structure. 
     
     
         14 . The heating device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one electrical conducting member is formed directly on the base of the first heat transfer assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The heating device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one electrical conducting member is part of a heater secured to the base of the first heat transfer assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The heating device of  claim 15 , wherein the heater comprises a thick film heater. 
     
     
         17 . The heating device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one electrical conducting member comprises a conductive material positioned on the base of the first heat transfer assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The heating device of  claim 11 , further comprising a second heat transfer assembly, the second heat transfer assembly extending in a direction generally away from the second side of the base. 
     
     
         19 . The heating device of  claim 15 , wherein the heater and the first heat transfer assembly are attached using adhesives or thermal grease. 
     
     
         20 . The heating device of  claim 15 , wherein the heater and the first heat transfer assembly are attached using at least one mechanical fastener. 
     
     
         21 . The heating device of  claim 11 , wherein a Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR) of the at least one electrical conducting member is between about 1,500 and 3,500 ppm/° C. 
     
     
         22 . A seating assembly comprising a support member, the support member comprising at least one interior fluid passageway, wherein the at least one fluid passageway is in fluid communication with a heating device of  claim 11  so as to selectively provide convectively heated air toward an upper surface of the seating assembly. 
     
     
         23 . The seating assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the seating assembly comprises a seat or a bed. 
     
     
         24 . A heating device for heating fluid, comprising:
 a heater configured to receive an electrical current to produce heat;   at least one heat transfer assembly adjacent the heater, the heat transfer assembly comprising a plurality of heat transfer members, wherein the heat transfer members define a plurality of spaces through which fluid may pass;   at least one electrically conductive member positioned on or within the heater;   wherein the at least one electrically conductive member terminates at or near one end of the heater, and wherein the at least one electrically conductive member is configured to selectively produce heat when electrically energized; and   an outer housing at least partially surrounding the heater and the at least one heat transfer assembly;   wherein heat generated by the heater is transferred to the at least one heat transfer assembly; and   wherein fluid passing through the spaces is selectively heated when electrical current is provided to the heater.   
     
     
         25 . The heating device of  claim 24 , wherein the heat transfer members comprise fins. 
     
     
         26 . A seating assembly comprising a support member with at least one fluid passageway, wherein the at least one fluid passageway is in fluid communication with a heating device of  claim 24  so as to selectively provide convectively heated air toward a seated occupant of the seating assembly. 
     
     
         27 . The seating assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the seating assembly comprises a seat or a bed. 
     
     
         28 . A method for heating fluid, comprising
 electrically activating a heating device, the heating device comprising a heater configured to receive an electrical current to produce heat;   wherein the heating device further comprises at least one heat transfer assembly adjacent the heater, the heat transfer assembly comprising a plurality of heat transfer members, wherein the heat transfer members define a plurality of spaces through which fluid may pass;   wherein the heating device additionally comprises at least one electrically conductive member positioned on or within the heater and an outer housing at least partially surrounding the heater and the at least one heat transfer assembly;   wherein electrically activating the heating device comprises providing electrical current to the at least one electrically conductive member, wherein upon electrical activation, the at least one electrically conductive member produces heat;   wherein heat generated by the heater is transferred to the at least one heat transfer assembly; and   wherein fluid passing through the spaces is selectively heated when electrical current is provided to the heater.