Modular radiant heat panel system

Abstract

A radiant heat panel system comprising multiple radiant heat transfer panels ( 16 ), each of the panels having a thermal mass ( 18 ) and a conduit channel ( 20 ); a fluid conduit ( 21 ), the conduit communicating with an apparatus ( 23 ) for heating fluid ( 22 ) in the conduit; the multiple panels positioned adjacent each other such that the conduit extends through a series of the conduit channels; the panels, conduit and apparatus so configured and arranged to permit heat transfer from the fluid to the thermal mass of the panel, whereby heat radiates from the panel.

1 . A radiant heat transfer panel comprising: 
 a thermal mass;    said thermal mass having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front side surface between said top and bottom surfaces, a rear side surface between said top and bottom surfaces, a left side surface between said top and bottom surfaces, and a right side surface between said top and bottom surfaces;    a conduit channel extending into said bottom surface and communicating between multiple ports in said side surfaces;    at least one of said ports being located in said front side surface, at least one of said ports being located in said rear side surface, at least one of said ports being located in said left side surface, and at least one of said ports being located in said right side surface;    whereby a number of said panels may be positioned adjacent each other with at least one of their ports aligned such that said respective conduit channels of said aligned panels are in open communication with each other.    
   
   
       2 . The radiant heat transfer panel set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said conduit channel is a U-shaped trough.  
   
   
       3 . The radiant heat transfer panel set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said right and left side surfaces each include two opposed ports and said front and rear side surfaces each comprise one opposed port.  
   
   
       4 . The radiant heat transfer panel set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said conduit channel comprises a linear section extending from said port in said front side surface to said port in said rear side surface.  
   
   
       5 . The radiant heat transfer panel set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said conduit channel comprises an arcuate section extending from said port in said right side surface to said linear section.  
   
   
       6 . The radiant heat panel set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said panel further comprises a formed tray containing said thermal mass.  
   
   
       7 . A radiant heat system comprising: 
 multiple radiant heat transfer panels, each of said panels comprising: 
 a thermal mass;  
 said thermal mass having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front side surface between said top and bottom surfaces, a rear side surface between said top and bottom surfaces, a left side surface between said top and bottom surfaces, and a right side surface between said top and bottom surfaces;  
 a conduit channel extending into said bottom surface and communicating between multiple ports in said side surfaces;  
 at least one of said ports being located in said front side surface, at least one of said ports being located in said rear side surface, at least one of said ports being located in said left side surface, and at least one of said ports being located in said right side surface;  
   a fluid conduit;    a fluid in said fluid conduit;    said fluid conduit communicating with an apparatus for heating said fluid;    said multiple panels positioned adjacent each other such that at least one panel has at least one port on each of said sides aligned with at least one port of another panel and such that said conduit extends through a series of said conduit channels and ports;    said panels, conduit and apparatus configured and arranged such that heat transfers from said fluid to said thermal mass of said panel;    whereby heat radiates from said top surface of said panels.    
   
   
       8 . The radiant heat system set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said panel further comprises a formed tray containing said thermal mass.  
   
   
       9 . The radiant heat system set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said fluid is water or glycol.