Heated Floor Panel For Transit Vehicle

Abstract

A system for generating radiant heat in a transit vehicle includes at least one floor panel having at least one heating element disposed therein, and a power switch operably disposed intermediate a power supply source and the heating element for selectively providing and discontinuing a supply of predetermined power generated by such power supply source to and from such at least one heating element.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A compartment heating system for a transit vehicle that has a power supply source and a control power source, the compartment heating system comprising:
 a structure that has an interior surface that is adapted to define a boundary of the compartment, the structure having an embedded electrically-operated resistive heating element that is electrically coupled to the power supply source;   a power switch connected in series between the power supply source and the heating element, the power switch adapted to provide and discontinue power from the power supply source to the heating element; and   a controller operably coupled to the power switch so as to control the supply of power to the heating element, where the controller is powered by the control power source.   
     
     
         2 . The compartment heating system of  claim 1  wherein the structure comprises a panel. 
     
     
         3 . The compartment heating system of  claim 2  wherein the panel is a floor panel. 
     
     
         4 . The compartment heating system of  claim 1  wherein the structure defines at least part of a floor of the compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The compartment heating system of  claim 1  wherein the controller selectively applies a control signal to the power switch, and wherein the power switch comprises a device that responds to the control signal and causes the load to be switched. 
     
     
         6 . The compartment heating system of  claim 1  wherein the heating element comprises a pair of spaced, parallel bus members and a plurality of spaced, parallel members connecting the pair of bus members and disposed perpendicularly thereto. 
     
     
         7 . The compartment heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor operably coupled to the controller, for providing a temperature signal to the controller. 
     
     
         8 . The compartment heating system of  claim 7  wherein the temperature sensor senses a temperature within the compartment. 
     
     
         9 . The compartment heating system of  claim 7  wherein the controller includes a memory with a predetermined temperature default stored therein, and wherein the temperature signal is compared to the temperature default. 
     
     
         10 . The compartment heating system of  claim 9  wherein the temperature default has a temperature range with an upper value and a lower value. 
     
     
         11 . The compartment heating system of  claim 7  wherein the temperature sensor senses a temperature outside of the compartment. 
     
     
         12 . The compartment heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a current monitor in series between the power supply source and the power switch, wherein the current monitor is operably coupled to the controller, for providing to the controller a signal indicative of the current supplied to the heating element. 
     
     
         13 . The compartment heating system of  claim 1  wherein the heating element is located under and in close proximity to the interior surface of the structure. 
     
     
         14 . The compartment heating system of  claim 13  wherein the structure comprises a covering that defines the interior surface. 
     
     
         15 . The compartment heating system of  claim 13  wherein the heating element is operated such that the surface temperature of the interior surface of the structure is limited to no more than about 125 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         16 . A passenger compartment heating system for a transit vehicle that has a power supply source and an independent control power source, the compartment heating system comprising:
 a structure that has an interior surface that is adapted to define a boundary of the passenger compartment, the structure having an embedded electrically-operated resistive heating element located under and in close proximity to the interior surface of the structure and that is electrically coupled to the power supply source;   a power switch connected in series between the power supply source and the heating element, the power switch adapted to provide and discontinue power from the power supply source to the heating element;   a controller operably coupled to the power switch so as to control the supply of power to the heating element, where the controller is powered by the control power source and not the power supply source; and   a temperature sensor operably coupled to the controller, for providing a temperature signal to the controller.   
     
     
         17 . The passenger compartment heating system of  claim 16  wherein the structure comprises a covering that defines the interior surface. 
     
     
         18 . The passenger compartment heating system of  claim 17  wherein the heating element is operated such that the surface temperature of the covering of the structure is limited to no more than about 125 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         19 . A passenger compartment heating system for a transit vehicle that has a power supply source and an independent control power source, the compartment heating system comprising:
 a floor panel that has an interior covering that is adapted to define a lower boundary of the passenger compartment, the floor panel having an embedded electrically-operated resistive heating element located under and in close proximity to the covering and that is electrically coupled to the power supply source;   a power switch connected in series between the power supply source and the heating element, the power switch adapted to provide and discontinue power from the power supply source to the heating element;   a controller operably coupled to the power switch so as to control the supply of power to the heating element, where the controller is powered by the control power source and not the power supply source;   a current monitor in series between the power supply source and the power switch, wherein the current monitor is operably coupled to the controller, for providing to the controller a signal indicative of the current supplied to the heating element; and   a temperature sensor operably coupled to the controller, for providing a temperature signal to the controller.   
     
     
         20 . The passenger compartment heating system of  claim 19  wherein the heating element is operated such that the surface temperature of the covering of the panel is limited to no more than about 125 degrees Fahrenheit.