FAR INFRARED RADIATION HEATING DEVICE

Abstract

Far-infrared radiation heating device The present invention relates to a far-infrared thermal radiation heating device (1) characterized in that it comprises: - a structure (100) comprising: a front wall (101) having an emissivity coefficient greater than 0.8 and having an external surface (101e) and an internal surface (101i), a rear wall (107) having an emissivity coefficient less than 0.1 and having an external surface (107e) and an internal surface (107i), a layer (104) of far-infrared radiation emitting composition, applied against the internal surface (101i) of the front wall (101), at least one pair (103) of electrodes (103a;103b) in contact with the layer (104) of far-infrared radiation-emitting composition, a void (108) between the layer (104) of far-infrared radiation-emitting composition and the inner surface (107i) of the rear wall, a frame (106) of airtight material delimiting the void (108), - a power supply (200) supplying electrical voltage to said electrodes (103a; 103b). Fig. 2;

Description

Title of the invention: FAR INFRARED RADIATION HEATING DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for heating by far infrared radiation, for example for heating a living room or any other building.

[0002] There are many heating devices available today, such as electric heating devices, such as radiators, inertia heating devices and water heating devices. Among electric heating devices, a distinction is made between those operating primarily by convection and those operating primarily by radiation. Convection is the transmission of heat through air while radiation is the transmission of heat through infrared. Infrared is an electromagnetic wave capable of transporting heat and diffusing in all directions. Devices operating on this principle consist of a resistor that heats an aluminum plate located inside the device. This plate allows the diffusion of heat that passes through a facade grille or a facade plate, in the case of a radiant panel.

[0003] There are two families of infrared heating: those operating with medium infrared (IR-B) and those operating with far infrared (IR-C or IRL). Medium infrared has a maximum range of three meters and is used in particular to heat terraces. Far infrared has a range of four or five meters. Far infrared radiant heating devices are used to heat rooms in buildings according to the following principle: they emit infrared radiation in all directions and the surfaces of the room such as walls, floor, ceiling, accumulate the energy then restore it, at low temperature. The temperature difference between these surfaces and between surfaces and the air is low, or even non-existent. The heat is uniform throughout the room. In addition, unlike convection heating, radiant heating does not create air movements.Dust and other allergens are not stirred or burned when in contact with a heating element.

[0004] Furthermore, far infrared rays are beginning to be the subject of studies on their health benefits which demonstrate their interest, for example in detoxifying the body, increasing blood flow, metabolism, stimulating the immune system and reducing certain pains.

[0005] The far infrared radiant heating devices currently available on the market are, however, not entirely satisfactory. In particular, they have the disadvantage of operating using resistors which are susceptible to damage and are not easily replaceable.

[0006] Furthermore, the choice of components such as the materials constituting the plates used to transmit infrared radiation is essential and must take into account their emissivity coefficient.

[0007] Emissivity is the ability of a material or surface to absorb and then re-emit heat by radiation, or radiation, and at a given wavelength. The emissivity coefficient of a material (e) is a unitless physical value between 0 and 1. It indicates how much infrared thermal radiation a surface emits compared to an ideal body called a "black body". The "black body" is the most efficient in terms of heat emission by radiation. The lower the emissivity, close to 0, the more the energy transfer is reduced, the more the material is insulating in terms of radiation.

[0008] Thus, a material will evacuate heat in the form of convection and in the form of radiation. Depending on its emissivity coefficient, this evacuation will be either mainly in the form of radiation, or mainly in the form of convection. Many heating devices on the market supposed to work by radiation actually work mainly, or too much, by convection.

[0009] Another important parameter regarding heating devices is of course their consumption. A quality heating device must therefore be as low as possible in terms of consumption. In addition, it may be interesting if such a device can operate using solar or wind power.

[0010] The aim of the present invention is to propose an infrared radiation heating device which does not have the aforementioned drawbacks and which, in particular, is: compact, simple in design but effective, capable of operating efficiently by radiation, with low consumption. Other advantages will arise from reading the following.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a device for heating by far infrared radiation which is characterized in that it comprises: - a structure comprising:

[0012] a front wall having an emissivity coefficient greater than 0.80 and having an external surface and an internal surface,

[0013] a rear wall having an emissivity coefficient of less than 0.10 and having an external surface and an internal surface,

[0014] a layer of far infrared radiation emitting composition, applied against the inner surface of the front wall,

[0015] at least one pair of electrodes in contact with the far infrared radiation emitting composition layer,

[0016] an empty space between the far infrared radiation emitting layer and the inner surface of the rear wall,

[0017] a frame made of airtight material and delimiting the empty space,

[0018] - an electrical power supply supplying said electrodes with electrical voltage.

[0019] In the device according to the invention, the radiation-emitting composition at Far infrared replaces the resistors of state-of-the-art devices. Powered by the electrodes, it will emit far infrared radiation. This is a composition commonly called "heating paint." Heating paints are paints that include electroconductive particles, such as graphite powders and carbon particles. They are notably available commercially. The front wall of the device, with its emissivity coefficient greater than 0.80, will efficiently transmit by radiation the far infrared radiation emitted by this layer of composition, towards the walls, floor and ceiling of the room in which the device is located.

[0020] The rear wall, with its emissivity coefficient less than 0.10, will reflect in the direction of the front wall and, thanks to the vacuum, the infrared radiation emitted by the layer of composition emitting far infrared radiation, so as to limit losses at the rear of the device.

[0021] Advantageously, the front wall has an emissivity coefficient greater than 0.85, preferably greater than 0.90, more preferably greater than 0.95.

[0022] Advantageously, the rear wall has an emissivity coefficient less than or equal to 0.09, preferably less than or equal to 0.08, preferably 0.06.

[0023] In the context of the invention, the emissivity coefficients presented are measured at wavelengths corresponding to the far infrared, i.e. between 8 and 14 pm.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the front wall being made of electrically conductive material, the device comprises a layer of a non-electrically conductive coating, and resistant to a temperature greater than 110°C interposed between the internal surface of the front wall and the composition emitting far infrared radiation.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the device comprises a layer of transparent and waterproof composition applied between the layer of far infrared radiation emitting composition and the empty space.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the front wall has a lacquered, painted or anodized external surface.

[0027] Preferably according to this embodiment, the front wall is made of aluminum or steel.

[0028] Steel and aluminum have a low emissivity coefficient. Applying lacquer, paint or anodizing the external surface will increase the emissivity coefficient of the wall to a value greater than 0.8.

[0029] Alternatively, the front wall is made of glass or Pyrex.

[0030] These materials have emissivity coefficients suitable for the invention but which can also be increased by the application of a lacquer or paint.

[0031] Advantageously, the rear wall has an internal surface made of raw aluminum. Raw aluminum has an emissivity coefficient of 0.09 and effectively redirects radiation toward the front wall. Radiation redirection can be improved with polished aluminum and its emissivity coefficient of 0.06.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the frame delimiting the empty space is made of cork. Cork is in fact a perfect insulator for air.

[0033] Advantageously, the electrical power supply supplies the electrodes with 12 to 36 volts, preferably 24 volts.

[0034] Advantageously, the device further comprises a frame in which said structure is integrated. This may, for example, be a frame made up of profiles.

[0035] Advantageously, the device further comprises a base, means for attachment to a wall or a ceiling or means for suspension from a ceiling.

[0036] The above-mentioned features of the invention, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the attached drawings, among which:

[0037] [Fig-1] is a sectional side view of a device according to one embodiment of the invention,

[0038] [Fig.2] is an exploded perspective view of a device according to one embodiment of the invention,

[0039] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0040] Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a heating device 1 according to the same embodiment.

[0041] The device 1 comprises a structure 100 which is delimited by a front wall 101 and a rear wall 107. The front wall 101 has an external surface 101e which faces towards the outside of the structure 100 and an internal surface 101i which faces towards the inside of the structure 100. The rear wall 107 has an external surface 107e which faces towards the outside of the structure 100 and an internal surface 107i which faces towards the inside of the structure 100.

[0042] The front 101 and rear 107 walls represent the front and rear facades respectively of the heating device 1.

[0043] The front wall 101 is in this embodiment an aluminum plate whose external surface 101 is covered with a lacquer, preferably black in color. The front wall has an emissivity coefficient of approximately 0.95, measured at wavelengths corresponding to the far infrared, i.e. between 8 and 14 pm.

[0044] The rear wall 107 is in this embodiment a raw aluminum plate. The front wall has an emissivity coefficient of approximately 0.09, measured at wavelengths corresponding to the far infrared, i.e. between 8 and 14 pm.

[0045] Since the front wall 101 is made of an electrically conductive material, a layer 102 of an electrically non-conductive coating, resistant to high temperatures, in particular to temperatures above 110°C, is applied against the internal surface 1011 of the front wall 101. This may be, for example, a commercially available high-temperature resistant paint or a layer of adhesive polyimide (Kapton). The coating layer 102 makes it possible to electrically insulate the front wall 101.

[0046] A layer of far infrared radiation emitting composition 104 is applied against the layer 102 of electrically non-conductive, high-temperature resistant coating. This is a composition commonly called “heating paint” and comprising a dispersion of electrically conductive particles. These particles may be a mixture of graphite particles and carbon particles. Heating paints that can be used in the context of the invention are commercially available. In the remainder of the description, the layer of far infrared radiation emitting composition 104 will be referred to as “heating paint”.

[0047] The structure 100 further comprises a pair of electrodes 103, including electrode 103a and electrode 103b, so as to supply voltage to the heating paint layer 104 so that the latter can emit far infrared radiation.

[0048] The pair of electrodes 103 is arranged between the heating paint layer 104 and the electrically non-conductive, high-temperature resistant coating layer 102. It can also be arranged in the thickness of the heating paint layer 104.

[0049] The electrodes are connected to a 200 power supply distributing 24 volts.

[0050] A layer of transparent and waterproof composition 105 is applied against the layer of heating paint 104. This layer 105 forms a sealing layer against the layer of heating paint 104 which can be more or less hydrophilic. This is a transparent varnish, commercially available.

[0051] An empty space 108 is disposed between the transparent and waterproof composition layer 105 and the inner surface 107i. The airtightness of this space is ensured by means of a cork frame 106 applied between the layer 105 and the surface 107i. This is a thermal vacuum.

[0052] When the device 1 is in operation and the power supply 200 provides an electrical voltage to the heating paint 104 via the pair of electrodes 103, the heating paint will emit far infrared radiation towards the front wall 101 and the rear wall 107. The front wall 107, having a high emissivity coefficient, i.e. greater than 0.8, will, by radiation, transmit these radiations to the outside of the device, towards surfaces such as the walls, the floor and the ceiling of the room in which the device 1 is installed. The external surface 101e reaches a temperature of between 70 and 80°C. The internal surface 107i of the rear wall 107 having a low emissivity coefficient, i.e. less than 0.1, it will reflect the radiation that it receives in the direction of the front wall 101. The empty space 108 promotes the radiation.Without it, there would be heat conduction on the raw aluminum wall and the radiation would not be reflected. The 105 layer, due to its transparency, lets the radiation pass through.

[0053] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the structure 100 of the heating device 1 may be framed by a frame 300, for example made of a profile. It may also be fixed to a base 400.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (1) for heating by far infrared thermal radiation characterized in that it comprises: - a structure (100) comprising: a front wall (101) having an emissivity coefficient greater than 0.8 and having an external surface (101e) and an internal surface (101i), a rear wall (107) having an emissivity coefficient less than 0.1 and having an external surface (107e) and an internal surface (107i), a layer (104) of far infrared radiation emitting composition comprising a dispersion of a mixture of graphite particles and carbon particles which are electrically conductive, applied against the internal surface (101i) of the front wall (101), at least one pair (103) of electrodes (103a;103b) in contact with the layer (104) of far infrared radiation emitting composition, an empty space (108) between the layer (104) of far infrared radiation emitting composition and the inner surface (107i) of the rear wall, a frame (106) made of airtight material and delimiting the empty space (108), - an electrical power supply (200) supplying electrical voltage to said electrodes (103a; 103b).;

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the front wall (101) has an emissivity coefficient greater than 0.85, preferably greater than 0.90, more preferably greater than 0.

95.

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rear wall (107) has an emissivity coefficient less than or equal to 0.09, preferably less than or equal to 0.08, preferably 0.

06.

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a layer (102) of a non-electrically conductive coating, and resistant to a temperature higher than

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13. at 110°C interposed between the internal surface (101) of the front wall (101) and the layer (104) of composition emitting far infrared radiation. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a layer (105) of transparent and waterproof composition applied between the layer (104) of far infrared emitting composition and the empty space (108). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front wall (101) has a lacquered, painted or anodized external surface (101e). Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the front wall (101) is made of aluminum or steel. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the front wall (101) is made of glass or pyrex. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rear wall (107) has an internal surface made of raw aluminum. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said frame (106) delimiting the empty space is made of cork. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical power supply (200) supplies said electrodes (103a; 103b) with 12 to 36 volts, preferably with 24 volts. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a frame (300) in which said structure (100) is integrated. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a base (400), means for attachment to a wall or a ceiling or means for suspension from a ceiling.

Images