WO2023023816A1

WO2023023816A1 - Heater panel

Info

Publication number: WO2023023816A1
Application number: PCT/AU2022/051044
Authority: WO
Inventors: Abhijit Ditendra Behere; Mazin Ali; Yiming Li
Original assignee: Arlec Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-25
Filing date: 2022-08-25
Publication date: 2023-03-02
Also published as: AU2024201914A1; AU2021221801A1

Abstract

A heater panel comprises a body portion and a plurality of heating fin portions extending from and along a first surface of the body portion. The body portion is heatable by a heating element to thereby radiate heat via the heating fin portions extending therefrom. Each heating fin portion has and/or is associated with, at or near where the heating fin portion transitions into the body portion, a first substantially smooth transition region leading from said heating fin portion to the body portion.

Description

HEATER PANEL

[0001] The entire content of the complete specification of Australian Patent Application No. 2021221801 as originally filed is incorporated herein by reference.

Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a heater panel and a heater. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a heater panel for an electric panel heater , which may be adapted for mounting to a ceiling or wall of a building for heating an interior space of the building, or as a freestanding portable unit. In some examples of the invention, the panel is an extruded panel.

Background

[0003] It is known to provide an electric panel heater for heating an internal space of a building. A typical ceiling - (or wall -) mountable panel heater comprises a housing that supports a panel that is arranged to radiate heat (thermal radiation) therefrom to the surrounding environment, and one or more heating elements, such as electric resistance heating wires, located within the housing and that are arranged to heat the heating panel. The heater may further comprise one or more brackets, and/or other mounting formations, for mounting the housing and thereby the heater to a ceiling or wall.

[0004] It would be desirable to improve heat conduction efficiency between the heater elements and the heater panel, and/or heat dispersion and/or transfer characteristics of heat radiated from the heater panel, of previously proposed heaters to thereby improve overall output heat efficiency.

[0005] Alternatively or additionally, it would be desirable to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Summary

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides a heater panel comprising a body portion and a plurality of heating fin portions extending from and along a first surface of the body portion, the body portion being heatable by a heating element to thereby radiate heat via the heating fin portions extending therefrom, wherein each heating fin portion has and/or is associated with, at or near where said heating fin portion transitions into the body portion, a first substantially smooth transition region leading from said heating fin portion to the body portion.

[0007] As used herein, a “substantially smooth transition region” is a region in which there is a gradual change in thickness or a gradual change in gradient from one portion of the heater panel (for example, from at or near a body portion of the heater panel) to another portion of the heater panel (for example, at or near a heating fin portion of the heater panel). In particular, in this substantially smooth transition region, there is no sharp transition or any edges. According to a preferred example of the present invention, a smooth transition region comprises or is a curved or arcuate region, or a region having curvature. In another example, the smooth transition region may also comprises and/or transition into a sloped region.

[0008] The first substantially smooth transition region may be a curved region.

[0009] A region of the first surface between each pair of adjacent heating fin portions of the plurality of heating fin portions may define a channel or groove extending along the first surface of the body portion and having a substantially concave cross-sectional shape.

[0010] Each heating fin portion may have a second substantially smooth transition region, at or near an apex of said heating portion, from or near the apex of said heating fin portion towards the body portion.

[0011] The second substantially smooth transition region may be a curved region.

[0012] Each heating fin portion may have a substantially convex cross-sectional shape.

[0013] The panel may be formed as unitary part.

[0014] The panel may be an extruded panel.

[0015] The plurality of heating fin portions may comprise a plurality of parallel heating fins.

[0016] The panel may be an elongate panel.

[0017] The plurality of heating fins may extend lengthways along the first surface of the body portion. [0018] The first surface may be a corrugated surface having plurality of corrugations that at least partly define the heating fin portions and channels or grooves.

[0019] The first surface may have a substantially sinusoidal cross-sectional profile.

[0020] A second aspect of the present invention further provides an extruded heater panel comprising a body portion and a plurality of heating fin portions extending from the body portion, the body portion being heatable by a heating element to thereby radiate heat via the heating fin portions that extend from a first surface of the body portion, the heating surface of the panel having a substantially smooth transitions between adjacent heating fin portions.

[0021] The heater panel may comprise at least one receiving portion for receiving heat, from the heating element, for heating the body portion, the receiving portion extending from a second side of the body portion, opposite a first side of the body portion comprising the first surface, along the second side and comprising: a first wall portion at least partly defining a recess for receiving the heating element and extending transversely relative to the second side, and a first bridge portion connecting the wall portion to the body portion, the first bridge portion being, in a direction transverse to and towards the second side of the body portion, divergent from the first wall portion to at or near the body portion.

[0022] A third aspect of the present invention provides a heater panel comprising a body portion having a first side configured to radiate heat, therefrom and a second side opposite the first side, and at least one receiving portion for receiving heat, from a heating element, for heating the body portion, extending from and along the second side and having: a first wall portion at least partly defining a recess for receiving the heating element and extending transversely relative to the second side of the body portion, and a first bridge portion connecting the wall portion to the body portion, the first bridge portion being, in a direction transverse to and towards the second side of the body portion, divergent from the second wall portion to the body portion.

[0023] The receiving portion may comprise: a second wall portion spaced from the first wall portion to at least partly define the recess for receiving the heating element therebetween, and second wall portion extending transversely relative to the second side of the body portion, and a second bridge portion connecting the second wall portion to the body portion. [0024] The second bridge portion may be, in a direction transverse to and towards the second side, divergent from the second wall portion to at or near the body portion.

[0025] The or each wall portion may extend substantially perpendicularly relative to the body portion.

[0026] The wall portions may extend substantially in parallel relative to one another.

[0027] The panel may be formed as unitary part.

[0028] The panel may be an extruded panel.

[0029] The panel may be an elongate panel.

[0030] The heater panel may comprise a plurality of spaced apart receiving portions for receiving heat from one or more heating elements.

[0031] The heater panel may comprise a plurality of spaced apart receiving portions for receiving heat from one or more heating elements and that extend longitudinally along a length of the body portion.

[0032] The or each bridge portion may have a substantially smooth transition region where the bridge portion diverges leading to the second side of the body portion.

[0033] The or each bridge portion may have a substantially curved region where the bridge portion diverges leading to the second side of the body portion.

[0034] The body portion may substantially extend in or along a plane.

[0035] A fourth aspect of the present invention still further a provides heater comprising a heater panel as defined above, the heater panel being arranged to radiate heat therefrom to a surrounding environment.

[0036] In the description in this specification reference may be made to subject matter which is not within the scope of the appended claims. That subject matter should be readily identifiable by a person skilled in the art and may assist in putting into practice the invention as defined in the presently appended claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0037] The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] Figure 1 is a schematic top/upper perspective view of an electric panel heater in accordance with an example of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 is a schematic bottom/lower perspective view of the heater of Figure 1 ;

[0040] Figures 3 and 4 are schematic side views of the heater of Figure 1;

[0041] Figures 5 and 6 are schematic top/upper (Figure 5) and bottom/lower (Figure 6) views of the heater of Figure 1;

[0042] Figures 7 and 8 are schematic end views of the heater of Figure 1;

[0043] Figure 9 is a schematic perspective section view along the line 9-9 in Figure 6;

[0044] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective section view of detail 10A in Figure 9;

[0045] Figure 11 is a schematic cross-section view along the line 9-9 in Figure 6;

[0046] Figure 12 is a schematic cross-section view of detail 12A in Figure 11;

[0047] Figure 13 is a schematic bottom/lower perspective view of a panel of the panel heater of Figure 1 showing a front surface of the panel arranged to radiate heat therefrom;

[0048] Figure 14 is a schematic top/upper perspective view of the panel of Figure 13 showing a rear side of the panel arranged to receive heat from one or more heating elements;

[0049] Figures 15 and 16 are schematic bottom/lower (Figure 15) and top/upper (Figure 16) views of the panel of Figure 13;

[0050] Figure 17 is a schematic side view of the panel of Figure 13;

[0051] Figure 18 is a schematic end view of the panel of Figure 13;

[0052] Figure 19 is a schematic end view of detail 19A in Figure 18;

[0053] Figure 20 is a schematic end view of detail 20A in Figure 18; [0054] Figure 21 is a schematic perspective section view along the line 21-21 in Figure 17; and

[0055] Figure 22 is a schematic perspective section view of detail 22A in Figure 21.

Detailed description

Panel heater

[0056] With reference to Figures 1 to 12, there is shown a panel heater in the form of an electric panel heater 10 arranged to be mounted to a ceiling, or wall or similar structure, and to radiate or provide heat to surrounding environment. The heater 10 is adapted for mounting to a ceiling of a building, such a residential or commercial building, suitable for heating an interior space of the building (or alternatively an outdoor space). Alternatively, the heater 10 may be configured as a freestanding portable unit.

[0057] The heater 10 comprises a heater panel 12 in the form of a front panel that is heatable by one or more heating elements 14 to radiate or provide heat to the surrounding environment, a housing 16 arranged to support the panel 12, and one or more heating elements

14.

[0058] The heater panel 12, which is shown in Figures 13 to 22 and will be described in more detail below, has a body portion 18 that has a first, front or outer, side 20 having a first, front or outer surface/face 22 that has a groove structure formed thereon to promote the efficient transfer and dispersal of heat therefrom to the surrounding environment, and a second, rear or inner side 24, opposite the front side 20, having a second, rear or inner surface/face 26 and arranged to receive heat from the one or more heating elements 14. (The features of the groove structure formed on the surface 22, which may not be shown clearly in Figure 6, or in Figure

15, because of the size and the proximity relative to one another of the heating fins 74, can be seen, for example, in Figures 17-22.)

[0059] The example heater 10 comprises two housings or sections: a first main heater housing / back enclosure or section 16 arranged to support and/or retain the panel 12, and a second control housing / back enclosure or section 28 that contains electrical circuitry associated with and/or for controlling a heating operation of the heater 10. [0060] The control housing 28, which in the Figures is shorter (in a longitudinal direction of the heater 10) and relatively compact, relative to the main heater housing 16, is secured, or otherwise coupled or attached, to an end 30 of the heater housing 16 and in electrical communication with the heating elements 14. The control housing 28 comprises a cable gland or grommet 32 arranged to receive therethrough an end of a cable (not shown), such as a lead or cord, from an electrical power supply (not shown), for example an external mains power supply, for providing electrical power from the power supply to the heater 10, and more particularly the heating element(s) 14, via the cable. The control housing 28 also comprises, and/or is associated with and/or houses a user interface 34 for controlling a heating operation of the heater 10. The example user interface 34 comprises an on/off switch 36 located on an end of the housing 28 that is accessible by a user or operator to control (turn on or off) a heating operation of the heater 10. The user interface 34 may additionally or alternatively include a wireless interface generally indicated by the reference number 38 in Figure 2 that is configured so that a user can control operation of the heater 10 over a wireless communications network. The user interface 34 also comprises one or more lights, in the form of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 40, or a similar visual display, arranged to indicate to a user the operational status (for example, on/off, operating power level) of the heater 10.

[0061] In the example heater 10, the control housing 28 contains electrical circuitry associated with controlling and/or providing electrical power for the operation of the heater 10, and is not itself configured to provide heat directly to the surrounding environment. Further, although it is desirable that the control housing 28 has an appearance that is generally the same or similar as the appearance of, such as an extension and/or continuation of, the main heater housing 16, the control housing 28 may take any suitable form. Further, although in the illustrated example the control housing 28 is separate to the main heater housing 16, thereby establishing a thermal break therebetween, it will be understood that electrical circuitry required for the operation of the heater 10 and/or the user interface 34 may alternatively be included in the main heater housing 16. In other words, the housings 16, 28 (and associated components) may be combined in a single housing.

[0062] The example housing 16 is an elongate housing arranged to support and/or retain the heater panel 12. The housing 16 comprises a first, rear or upper (when the heater 10 is mounted to a ceiling) portion 42, that extends longitudinally and is generally arranged opposite to and extends parallel to the heater panel 12, and opposed, downwardly inclined, lateral side or wall portions 44 that extend from longitudinal sides of the first spine/central portion 42. The housing 16 defines an open channel having an opening 46 at the bottom (when the heater 10 is mounted to a ceiling) of the housing, opposite the rear portion 42. The rear and side portions 42, 44 of the housing 16 may be formed as a unitary component, for example, an extruded or folded unitary component. The heater panel 12 is supported by the housing 16 and extends across and substantially closes the opening 46.

[0063] The housing 16 further comprises opposed end portions in the form of ends/sides 30, 31 that are secured relative to ends of the housing portions 42, 44, thereby substantially closing the ends of the housing 16, and to the panel 12. The ends 30 may be secured relative to the housing 16 and/or the heater panel 12, for example, via fasteners 48, such as screws or interference fit-type fasteners, that may be received in corresponding recesses 50 at the ends of longitudinally channel formations 52 provided on the housing 16 and/or the panel 12.

[0064] The length of the heater panel 12 may be (slightly) less than the length of the housing/back enclosure 16 such that there is a (small) gap or space (not shown) between each of the ends of the panel 12 and the adjacent end/side 30,31, When the heater is operating 10, the gaps/spaces allow the panel 12 to thermally expand into the gaps/spaces without creating pressure on and/or pushing against the ends 30, 31 of, or secured to, the housing 16.

[0065] The one or more heater elements 14 are arranged within an elongate cavity or recess 54 defined within the housing 16 to provide heat to the heater panel 12. The example heater 10 comprises three spaced apart electrical heater elements 14 that extend substantially parallel to one another, longitudinally along the panel 12, adjacent the rear surface 26 of the panel 12. It will be understood that that the electrical heater elements 14 may be arranged in series. For example, a heater element wire in electrical communication with the power supply may follow a serpentine-like path along the length of the heater panel 12, such that longitudinally extending sections of the heater element wire substantially define the heater elements 14. Alternatively, the heater elements 14 may each be in direct electrical communication with the power supply and arranged in series relative to one another. Further, each of the heater elements 14 may extend, alternatively or additionally, widthways across the rear side 24 / surface 26 of the panel 12.

[0066] The heater panel 12 is supported by, and/or secured or retained relative, to the housing 16 by joining or connecting members 56, such as strips or inserts that each extend into and along longitudinally extending, adjacent recesses or channels 58, 60 provided by corresponding formations formed on each side of the housing 16 and the panel 12. Advantageously, the joining members 56 each comprise a thermally insulating material such that the joining members 56 are configured to inhibit conduction of heat (thermal energy) from the panel 12 to the housing 16. It will be understood the ends 30, 31 may similarly comprise an insulating member and/or material arranged to inhibit conduction of heat from the panel 12 to the ends 30, 31.

[0067] The heater 10 can further comprise an insulating body, member or material 62, located in the cavity 54 defined in the housing 16, generally between the heater panel 12 and the rear and side portions 42, 44 of the housing 16, and that extends along the length of the heater 10. The insulating body 62 inhibits heat transfer between the panel 12 and the housing 16. The body 62 may also retain the heating elements 14 in recesses or channels 64 for receiving the heating elements 14 that are at least partly defined by receiving portions or formations 66 (discussed below) provided on the rear side 24 of the panel 12.

[0068] One or more brackets 68 may also be provided for mounting the heater 10 to a ceiling (or wall or other structure). The example brackets 68 engage mounting formations in the form of longitudinally extending channels 70 provided by corresponding formations formed on and that extend along an outer surface 72 of the housing 16. The mounting brackets 68 may be configured so that the heater 10 can rotate about an axis that is, for example, parallel to a longitudinal axis of the heater 10 to adjust the directions heat is radiated from the heater panel 12.

Panel

[0069] With reference to Figures 13 to 22, the panel body portion 18 of the front panel 12 for a panel heater 10 according to an example of the invention comprises a generally planar body portion that substantially extends in and/or along a plane. As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the opposed front and rear sides 20, 24 of the panel 12 having the front and rear surfaces 22, 26 are each (in plan view) a rectangular shape such that panel 12 is an elongate panel 12. However, it will be understood the panel 12 may be other shapes. The speed at which heat is conducted from the heating elements 14 through the panel 12 will depend on, among other factors, the thickness of the panel 12 and the material from which the panel 12 is formed. It will be also understood by a person skilled in the relevant art that the thickness of the panel body portion 18 needs to be sufficiently thick, however, to facilitate transfer and satisfactory dispersion of heat across the width of the panel from the heating elements 14 and throughout the panel 12 to the surface 22, including the heating fins 74 and the grooves 76 located between the fins 74 (discussed below).

[0070] By way of non-limiting example only, and with reference to Figure 19, a typical thickness of the panel 12, between the front and rear sides 20, 24 , as indicated by the reference number 78 may be about 1.5-5mm, more particularly about 2-4 mm, more particularly about 2-3 mm, and in some examples about 2 mm. The panel 12 may be formed, for example, from aluminum, or another material having relatively good thermal conductivity. It is also contemplated that in some examples the heater panel could be cast iron. In that regard, the person skilled in the relevant art will understand the panel 12 may comprise and/or be formed out of other suitable materials.

[0071] The front panel 12 comprises a plurality of spaced apart heating fin portions or elements in the form of heating fins 74 that extend from the front surface 22 of the panel body portion 18. The heating fins 74 of the example heater 10 extend longitudinally, parallel to one another, along a length of the panel body portion 18.

[0072] The example front panel 12 also comprises a plurality of grooves 76, or channels or recesses, formed in the front surface. The grooves 76 of the example heater panel 12 also extend longitudinally, parallel to one another, along a length of the panel body portion 18. Each groove 76 extends between adjacent heating fins 74.

[0073] The example heater 10 comprises a series of uniform cross-section, parallelextending, substantially like heating fins 74 and substantially like grooves 76, however, it will be understood the shape and/or size of the heating fins 74 may vary and be different to one another, and /or the shape and/or size of the grooves 76 may vary and be different to one another.

[0074] With reference to the Figures 18-20 that show a cross-section views of the heater panel 12 and a plurality of the heating fins 74, each heating fin 74, when viewed in crosssection, has or is associated with at least one first substantially smooth transition region or surface portion 80 leading from the front surface 22 of the panel body portion 18 to the heating fin 74 and/or extending between the front surface 22 to the heating fin 74. Each heating fin 74 of the example panel 12 has or is associated with two first transition regions 80, one on either side of an apex 82 of the fin 74, located at or near a base of the fin 74 and/or base 84 of the adjacent groove 76 (as viewed in Figure 19). Each first transition region 80 comprises one or more curved or arcuate regions. The example first transition regions 80 each comprise a curved region. Each transition region 80 may also comprise one or more sloped or inclined regions (not shown) that are sloped relative to the plane in which the panel body portion 18 extends along. Each of the example heating fins 74 has a substantially convex shape.

[0075] The first side 20/surface 22 of the heater panel 10 may be corrugated, the side 20/surface 22 having a plurality of lengthways extending parallel corrugations that define the spaced apart heating fins 74 and the parallel grooves/channels 76 that each extend lengthways beteen adjacent pairs of the heating fins 74. The panel 10, for example, has a substantially sinusoidal cross-sectional profile.

[0076] The grooves 76 at least partly define the first transition regions 80 on either side of each groove leading from the body portion 18 to the adjacent heating fin 74. The example grooves 76, when viewed in cross-section, in a region of the front surface 22 between the adjacent heating fins 74, each have a substantially concave shape.

[0077] By way of non-limiting example only, and with reference to Figure 19, a height of each fin 74 extends from the front surface 22 of the panel 12 (that is, from the lowest point of the base or bottom 84 of an adjacent groove 76 as viewed in Figure 19), as indicated by the reference number 86, may be about 1.5 - 2 mm, and in some examples about 1.5 mm. Again by way of non-limiting example only, and with reference to Figure 19, a distance between an apex 82 of one fin 74 and an apex 82 of an adjacent fin 74, as viewed in Figure 19 and indicated by the reference number 88, and additionally or alternatively a corresponding distance between the base 84 of one groove 76 and the base 84 of an adjacent groove 76, may each be about 2.5 - 4 mm and in some examples about 3 mm. However, it will be understood the heights and/or widths of the fins 74 and grooves 76 may not be uniform and may vary along the length and/or width of the panel 12. Moreover, it will be understood that is some examples, the distance 88 between the apexes 82 of adjacent fins 74 may be different to the distance between the bases 84 of adjacent grooves 76.

[0078] With reference to the Figure 19, each heating fin 74, when viewed in in crosssection, has or is associated with at least one second substantially smooth transition region or surface portion 90 leading from the apex 82 of the heating fin 74 towards the body portion 18 and/or extending between the apex 82 of the heating fin and the body portion 18. Each heating fin 74 of the example panel 12 has two second transition regions 90, one on either side of an apex 82. Similar to the first transition regions 80, the second transition regions 90 each comprises one or more curved or arcuate regions. Each region 90 may also or alternatively comprise one or more sloped or inclined regions (not shown) that are each sloped relative to the plane in which the panel body portion 18 extends along. In some examples of the panel 12, the fins may each comprise a substantially straight portion extending between the transition region 80 that is at least partly defined by the concave surface defining an adjacent groove 76 and the transition region 90 that is at least partly defined by the convex surface of the fin 74.

[0079] Again by way of non-limiting example only, and with reference to Figure 19, a typical radius of each of the convex regions at the apexes 82 of the fins 74 and fillet radius of each the concave regions defining the grooves 76 that extend between the fins 74, as indicated by the reference number 92, may be about 0.60 - 0.85 mm, more particularly about 0.65 - 0.80 mm, and in some examples about 0.75 mm.

[0080] The groove structure of the first surface 22 of the panel advantageously increases the area of the front surface 22 that heat is radiated therefrom to the surrounding environment, improving heat transfer from the heater body portion 18 to the surrounding environment, and facilitating heat dispersion in desired directions (generally opposite the front surface of the panel 12, below the front panel 12 when the heater 10 is mounted to a ceiling), and therefore improving heat output efficiency relative to previously proposed panels 12. The larger the heating surface area of the panel 12, the more heat that can be radiated therefrom. The groove structure according to an example of the invention having smooth transition regions 80, 90 between adjacent grooves 76 and heating fins 74 and adjacent apexes 82 of the heating fins 74 increase the area of the front surface 22, in comparison to, for example a panel 12 comprising heating fins and/or grooves having triangular cross-sections, while still enabling the panel 12 to be efficiently manufactured by an extrusion process in which material from which the panel 12 is formed is extruded through a die.

[0081] With reference to Figure 20, the front panel 12 comprises one or more heat or heating element receiving or holding portions or formations 66 for receiving heat, from the heating element(s) 14, for heating the panel body portion 18. The example panel 12, for example, comprises three spaced apart receiving portions 66, each arranged to receive heat from a heating element 14. However, it will be understood by the person skilled in the relevant art that the panel 12 may have less or more receiving portions 66 depending on, among other things, the size (for example, width) of the panel 12 and the desired heat output. The example receiving portions 66 each extend longitudinally along a length of the body portion 18, parallel to the heating fins 74 and grooves 76 on the first side of the body portion 18, and extend transversely from the rear side 24 of the body portion 18.

[0082] Each receiving portion 66 comprises at least a first wall, or side or fin, portion in the form of wall portion 94 arranged to receive heat from a heating element for heating the body portion 18. The wall portion 94 at least partly defines a longitudinally extending recess or channel 64 for receiving the heating element 14. The example front panel 12 also comprises a second wall portion 96, spaced from the first wall portion 94, to at least partly define the recess 64 for receiving the heating element 14 therebetween. The first and second wall portions 94, 96 each extend transversely relative to the rear side 24 of the panel body portion 18. The example wall portions 94, 96 each extend substantially perpendicularly from the rear side 24 of the body portion 18, and extend substantially parallel to one another, such that a portion of the recess 66 between inner sides of the wall portions 94, 96 has a substantially constant cross- sectional width. The heating element 14 may be received into the recess 66 via an opening 98 that extends between outer free ends 100 of the wall portions 94, 96 or fed axially from an end of the panel 12 into the recess 66. However, it will be understood the cross-sectional widths of the wall portions 94, 96 may vary leading from the ends 100 towards the rear side 24 . Alternatively, for example, one or both of the wall portions 94, 96 may, as viewed in Figure 20, be (not shown) divergent and/or convergent divergent, as the wall portion 94 or 96 extends away from the side 24 / surface 26.

[0083] Although each receiving portion 66 of the example heater 10 comprises spaced apart first and second wall portions 94, 96, it will be understood each receiving portion may alternatively only have a single wall portion suitably shaped to at least partly define a recess for receiving a heating element. For example, a cross-section of a single wall portion may alternatively have a curved or similar profile and an end wall at an outer end that extends widthways in a direction parallel to the rear side to at least partly define a recess for receiving and the heating element between end wall portion and the rear side 24.

[0084] The example heater 10 comprises a plurality of parallel-extending, substantially like receiving portions 66, however, it will be understood the shape and/or size of the receiving portions 66 may vary and be different to one another. [0085] Each receiving portion 66 further comprises a first bridge or base portion in the form of bridge portion 102 connecting the first wall portion 94 to the body portion 18. The bridge portion 102 extends between the wall portion 94 and the rear side of the body portion 18. The bridge portion 102 when viewed in cross-section (e.g. Figure 20) is, in a direction transverse, more particularly perpendicular, to and towards the rear side, divergent from the first wall portion 94 to at or near, or at least towards, the rear side 24 of the body portion 18. That is, a cross-sectional width and thereby the area of the bridge portion 102 through which heat is conducted, as viewed in Figure 20 and as indicated by the arrows 104, both increase as the portion 102 upwardly diverges from the outer end 100 and/or the wall portion 94 to or near the panel body portion 18.

[0086] Each receiving portion 66 further comprises a second bridge portion 106 connecting the second wall portion 98 to the panel body portion 18. The second bridge portion 106 when viewed in cross-section (e.g. Figure 20) is, in a direction transverse to and towards the rear side 24, divergent from the first wall portion 96 to at or near the rear side of the body portion 18. That is, a cross-sectional width and thereby the area of the bridge portion 106, as viewed in Figure 20 and as indicated by the arrows 108, increases as the portion 102 upwardly diverges from the outer end 100 and/or the wall portion 96 to or near the body portion 18. In some examples, the second bridge portion 106 may transition or merge into, and/or partly overlap with, the first bridge portion 102 and thereby at least partly define the recess 64 for receiving the heating element 14.

[0087] Each bridge portion 102 (106) may have smooth transition regions 110 where the bridge portion 102 (106) diverges leading to and/or transitions into the second surface. Each of the example transition regions 110 comprises or is substantially one or more curved or arcuate regions. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more of regions 110 may comprise or be a sloped region.

[0088] An electric heating element 14, shown schematically in Figure 20, may be arranged in each recess 64 to provide heat to the body portion 18. The heating elements 14 extend along the recess 64, along the length of the panel 12, adjacent the rear side 24. Heat from the heating elements 14 is conducted through the receiving portions 66, including the wall portions 94, 96 and the bridge portions 102, 106, to the panel body portion 18 that is arranged to radiate heat from the front side thereof to the surrounding environment. [0089] Each of the bridge portions 102, 106 of each receiving portion 66 of the front panel 12 each extend in lateral directions as indicated by the arrows 108, in directions towards and away from the other portion 106, 102, as the bridge portions 102, 106 extend from the respective outer end 100 and/or wall portion 94, 96 towards and transition into the panel body portion 18. As seen in Figure 20, a width of the receiving portion 66, which defines a contact area that extends in a plane that is generally parallel to the panel body portion 18 and through which heat is conducted from the heating element 14, through the receiving portion 66, to the panel body portion 18 increases in a direction from the outer ends 100 of the wall portions 94, 96 to at or near the rear side 24 of the panel body portion 18 (the largest width of the receiving portion 66 where the receiving portion transitions into the rear surface 26 being generally indicated by the reference number 112 in Figure 18). The increased contact area between the receiving portion 66 and panel 12 resulting therefrom advantageously facilitates conduction of heat within the panel from the heater elements 14 to the panel body portion 18 and the first surface 24 and fins 74/grooves 76 over a larger area, and dispersion of heat across a larger width of the panel body portion 18, thereby improving conduction efficiency.

[0090] With reference to Figure 20, the recess or channel 64, for the heating element 14, defined by each receiving portion 66 and that extends along a length of the panel body portion 18, has a curved or arcuate, and more particularly concave shape, in a region that is adjacent an end 114, or bottom or base portion (upper end of the recess as viewed in Figure 21), of the recess 64 opposite the opening 98. The radius 116 of the concave region is advantageously substantially the same as or slightly smaller than a radius (or half the width) of a cross-section of the heating element 14 to snugly receive at least part of heating element having a corresponding cross-section in the concave region. The width 118 of the recess 64 between inner surfaces of the wall portions 94, 96 is similarly preferably substantially the same as a diameter or width of the heating element 14.

[0091] Each of the bridge portions 102, 106 start to diverge, from the respective first wall 94 to at or near, or at least towards, the rear side 26 of the body portion 18, from a region/location 120 that is located further away from panel body portion 18 than an inner base (or top) 114 of the receiving portion 66 that is adjacent the body portion 18/side 24 and opposite the opening 98. The example bridge portions 102, 106 continuously diverge from the respective wall portions 94, 96 / region 120 towards and transition into the panel body portion 18. [0092] Each of the bridge portions 102, 106 may start to diverge, for example, from a region 120 that is located a distance from the base 114, in a direction perpendicular to the rear surface 26, that is 30%-70%, more particularly 40-60%, more particularly about 50% of the width of the recess between the wall portions 94, 96. In the illustrated bridge portions 102, 106, the region 120 is located approximately the same distance, in a direction perpendicular to the rear surface 26 that extends between the receiving portions 66, from the rear surface 26 as a central portion, or centre or mid-point, 124 of the recess 64 / respective heating element 14 (when present). By way of non-limiting example only, each of the bridge portions 102, 106 may diverge from a region/location 120 where the walls 92 (96) meet the bridge portion 102 (106) such that the (cross-sectional) width, indicated by the reference number 126 in Figure 20, of the bridge portion 102 (106) increases by greater than 5 mm, more particularly greater than 6 mm, more particularly greater than 7mm , more particularly greater than 8mm, more particularly, for example, greater than 10mm from at or near the region/location 120 to at or near where the bridge portion 102 (106) meets and/or transitions into the rear side 24 / surface 26 adjacent the receiving portion 66.

[0093] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.

[0094] The preferred example panel 12 is an extruded elongate the panel 12 that is formed by extruding material from which the panel is formed through a die in a direction that is parallel to or coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the panel 12, such that the panel 12 has a uniform crosssection along the length of the panel 12. The heating fins, grooves and the receiving portions (including the recesses for the heating elements 14), and other formations provided on the panel body portion 18, each extend longitudinally, parallel to or coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the panel 12. However, it will be understood by the person skilled in the relevant art that the panel 12 may be formed by forcing or squeezing (extruding) material through a die in another axial direction of the panel 12, for example, along a laterally extending axis that extends along a width direction of the panel 12. It will be understood the heating fins, grooves and the receiving portions provided on the panel body 18 will then each extend widthways, parallel to or coaxial with the axis (such as a laterally extending axis across a width of the panel 12) corresponding to the direction the panel 12 is extruded from the die. Alternatively of additionally, the panel 12 may be formed by one other manufacturing processes, for example, machining the panel 12 (removing material from a panel blank) and/or moulding the panel 12.

[0095] It will be will also be understood that, although example heater panel 12 comprises a body 18 that generally extends in and/or along a plane and has uniform cross-section / height fins and grooves formed on a front side thereof, the panel could be other shapes. For example, a cross-section of the panel 12 could have an arcuate profile to radiate or provide a greater proportion of heat radiated from the panel 12 in lateral directions. For example, the front side 20/surface 22, in cross-section, may be generally concave or convex.

[0096] Further, is to be understood that directional terms such as "bottom”, “lower”, “top", “upper”, "rear", "front" and similar terms and variants thereof when used in the following claims and elsewhere in the specification are relative terms in relation to the typical orientation of the panel 12 included in a heater 10 that is mounted to a ceiling and/or typical operation of the heater to provide heat to a surrounding environment, and/or are used to refer to parts or features as shown in the drawings.. The heater 10 may alternatively be mounted in other orientations, for example, the heater 10 may be mounted to a wall or similar vertically extending structure.

[0097] Further, the accompanying schematic drawings include break lines (indicated, for example, by 122 in Figure 2) to indicate the illustrated heater 10 (including the panel 12), as will be understood by the person skilled in the relevant art, the relative, for example, length, width and/or height dimensions of the heater 10 / panel 12 be can be varied depending on size and/or heat output requirements.

[0098] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0099] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A heater panel comprising a body portion and a plurality of heating fin portions extending from and along a first surface of the body portion, the body portion being heatable by a heating element to thereby radiate heat via the heating fin portions extending therefrom, wherein each heating fin portion has and/or is associated with, at or near where said heating fin portion transitions into the body portion, a first substantially smooth transition region leading from said heating fin portion to the body portion.

2. The heater panel of claim 1, wherein the first substantially smooth transition region is a curved region.

3. The heater panel of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a region of the first surface between each pair of adjacent heating fin portions of the plurality of heating fin portions defines a channel or groove extending along the first surface of the body portion and having a substantially concave cross-sectional shape.

4. The heater panel of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each heating fin portion has a second substantially smooth transition region, at or near an apex of said heating portion, from or near the apex of said heating fin portion towards the body portion.

5. The heater panel of claim 4, wherein the second substantially smooth transition region is a curved region.

6. The heater panel of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each heating fin portion has a substantially convex cross-sectional shape.

7. The heater panel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the panel is formed as unitary part.

8. The heater panel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the panel is an extruded panel.

9. The heater panel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of heating fin portions comprise a plurality of parallel heating fins.

10. The heater panel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the panel is an elongate panel.

11. The heater panel as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plurality of heating fins extend lengthways along the first surface of the body portion.

12. The heater panel as claimed in claim 3, or any one of claims 4 to 11 when appended to claim 4, wherein the first surface is a corrugated surface having plurality of corrugations that at least partly define the heating fin portions and channels or grooves.

13. The heater panel as claimed in claim in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first surface has a substantially sinusoidal cross-sectional profile.

14. An extruded heater panel comprising a body portion and a plurality of heating fin portions extending from the body portion, the body portion being heatable by a heating element to thereby radiate heat via the heating fin portions that extend from a first surface of the body portion, the heating surface of the panel having a substantially smooth transitions between adjacent heating fin portions.

15. The heater panel of any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising at least one receiving portion for receiving heat, from the heating element, for heating the body portion, the receiving portion extending from a second side of the body portion, opposite a first side of the body portion comprising the first surface, along the second side and comprising: a first wall portion at least partly defining a recess for receiving the heating element and extending transversely relative to the second side, and a first bridge portion connecting the wall portion to the body portion, the first bridge portion being, in a direction transverse to and towards the second side of the body portion, divergent from the first wall portion to at or near the body portion.

16. A heater panel comprising a body portion having a first side configured to radiate heat, therefrom and a second side opposite the first side, and at least one receiving portion for receiving heat, from a heating element, for heating the body portion, extending from and along the second side and having: a first wall portion at least partly defining a recess for receiving the heating element and extending transversely relative to the second side of the body portion, and a first bridge portion connecting the wall portion to the body portion, the first bridge portion being, in a direction transverse to and towards the second side of the body portion, divergent from the second wall portion to the body portion.

17. The heater panel as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the receiving portion comprises: a second wall portion spaced from the first wall portion to at least partly define the recess for receiving the heating element therebetween, and second wall portion extending transversely relative to the second side of the body portion, and a second bridge portion connecting the second wall portion to the body portion.

18. The heater panel as claimed in claim 17, wherein the second bridge portion is, in a direction transverse to and towards the second side, divergent from the second wall portion to at or near the body portion.

19. The heater panel as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the or each wall portion extends substantially perpendicularly relative to the body portion.

20. The heater panel as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, or claim 19 when appended to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the wall portions extend substantially in parallel to one another.

21. The heater panel as claimed in claim 16, or any one of claims 17 to 20 when appended claim 16, wherein the panel is formed as unitary part.

22. The heater panel as claimed in claim 16, or any one of claims 17 to 21 when appended to claim 16, wherein the panel is an extruded panel.

23. The heater panel as claimed in claim 16, or any one of claims 17 to 22 when appended to claim 16, wherein the panel is an elongate panel.

24. The heater panel as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 23, comprising a plurality of spaced apart receiving portions for receiving heat from one or more heating elements.

25. The heater panel as claimed in claim 23, comprising a plurality of spaced apart receiving portions for receiving heat from one or more heating elements and that extend longitudinally along a length of the body portion.

26. The heater panel as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 25, wherein the or each bridge portion has a substantially smooth transition region where the bridge portion diverges leading to the second side of the body portion.

27. The heater panel as claimed in claim 26, wherein the or each bridge portion has a substantially curved region where the bridge portion diverges leading to the second side of the body portion.

28. The heater panel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the body portion substantially extends in or along a plane.

29. A heater comprising a heater panel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 28, the heater panel being arranged to radiate heat therefrom to a surrounding environment.