Heater Having Heating Core and Conductive Fin

Abstract

Heater having an enclosure surrounding a heating core. The heating core includes heating elements and a self-supporting corrugated heat conductive fin positioned between first and second end panels, with at least one heating element positioned between the end panels. The fin provides air flow channels between the corrugations as well as multiple heat reflective surfaces, and the fin is self-supporting between the corrugations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heating core for a heater, said heating core comprising:
 a corrugated heat conductive fin;   a first side panel attached to a first end of said fin;   a second side panel attached to a second end of said fin; and   at least one heating element mounted to and extending between said first and second side panels;   wherein said fin is self-supporting between said first and second side panels.   
     
     
         2 . The heating core of  claim 1 , further comprising an additional third panel attached to said first and second side panels, with a space between said additional third panel and said fin. 
     
     
         3 . The heating core of  claim 1 , having a plurality of air channels between corrugations of said fin. 
     
     
         4 . The heating core of  claim 3 , further comprising means for providing structural stability, including integrity and self-support, to said heating core. 
     
     
         5 . The heating core of  claim 4 , wherein:
 said means for providing structural stability comprises straps joining said side panels;   said heating core having no additional structural supports.   
     
     
         6 . The heating core of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of heating elements. 
     
     
         7 . The heating core of  claim 6 , wherein at least some of said heating elements extend through holes in said fin. 
     
     
         8 . The heating core of  claim 6 , wherein at least some of said heating elements do not extend through holes in said fin. 
     
     
         9 . A convection heater for use on a substantially horizontal surface, said convection heater comprising:
 a ventilated enclosure surrounding on six sides a heating core, the heating core mounted within said enclosure and comprising;   a corrugated heat conductive fin, said fin self-supporting;
 a first side panel attached to a first end of said fin; 
 a second side panel attached to a second end of said fin; 
 at least one heating element mounted to and extending between said first and second side panels and extending through holes therein; and 
 means for providing structural stability to said heating core inside said enclosure. 
   
     
     
         10 . The convection heater of  claim 9 , said heating core element further comprising:
 an additional third panel attached to said first and second side panels, with a space between said additional third panel and said fin aiding definition of air channels between said corrugations, reflection of heat, and prevention of the possibility of accordion-style compression motion of said fin;   thereby aiding structural stability, structural integrity and rigidity.   
     
     
         11 . The heating core of  claim 9 , wherein said means for providing structural stability comprises straps joining said side panels within said enclosure. 
     
     
         12 . The convection heater of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of heating elements. 
     
     
         13 . The convection heater of  claim 12 , wherein at least some of said heating elements extend through holes in said fin. 
     
     
         14 . The convection heater of  claim 12 , wherein at least some of said heating elements do not extend through holes in said fin. 
     
     
         15 . The convection heater of  claim 9 , for use on a substantially horizontal surface, said enclosure further comprising:
 means for supporting said heater on such substantially horizontal surface.   
     
     
         16 . The convection heater of  claim 15 , wherein said means for supporting comprises devices selected from castors, legs, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The convection heater of  claim 15 , further comprising means for controlling said heating element. 
     
     
         18 . The convection heater of  claim 17 , wherein said means for controlling comprises devices selected from temperature controllers, power controllers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The convection heater of  claim 15 , further comprising handles. 
     
     
         20 . A convection heater for use on a substantially horizontal surface, said convection heater comprising:
 a ventilated enclosure having top, bottom, left, right, front and rear sides, each side having a cover, the enclosure surrounding a heating core, at least one cover comprising at least one grill, the bottom side cover comprising an air inlet board, the enclosure having supports dimensioned and configured for supporting said heater on such substantially horizontal surface, the enclosure having at least one handle on at least one side;   the heating core mounted within said enclosure and comprising;   a corrugated heat conductive fin, said fin self-supporting, said corrugations defining a plurality of vertical air channels;   a first side panel attached to a first end of said fin, the first side panel being rectangular in shape and having at least one hole therethrough, the first side panel having a front side, a rear side, an outer face distal said fin, and upper and lower corners of the outer face;   a second side panel attached to a second end of said fin, the second side panel being rectangular in shape and having at least one hole therethrough, the second side panel having a front side, a rear side, an outer face distal said fin, and upper and lower corners of the outer face at both front side and rear side;   a third rear panel attached to and supporting said first and second side panels at their respective rear sides, the third panel separated from said fin by a space;   the first side panel and the second side panel supported by a first strap passing from the front upper corner of the outer face of the first side panel to the front upper corner of the outer face of the second side panel and by a second strap passing from the front lower corner of the outer face of the first side panel to the front lower corner of the outer face of the second side panel;   at least one heating element mounted to said first and second side panels and extending through the respective holes therein, the heating element further passing through a plurality of circular holes in said fin;   means for controlling said heating element selected from the group consisting of: temperature controllers, power controllers, and combinations thereof, the means for controlling said heating element being mounted upon at least one side of the enclosure.