Heater module

Abstract

A heating module includes a securement flange, a central frame, and a front cover. The securement flange includes an annular sidewall configured to be securable to an outlet duct of a cooling system from which a stream of air is provided. The central frame is formed with an opening for the stream of air to flow, and includes one or more heating elements positioned to heat the stream of air and a support for adjustably positioning the one or more heating elements across the opening. The front cover includes a grate aligned with the opening in the central frame through which the stream of air is exhausted.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heating module configured to be securable to a cooling system to form a heating system, wherein the cooling system provides a stream of air, the heating module comprising:
 a securement flange removably securable to an outlet duct of the cooling system;   a frame coupled to the securement flange and formed with an opening through which the stream of air flows;   one or more heating elements for heating the stream of air, the one or more heating elements securable to at least one heater support coupled to the frame for positioning the one or more heating elements across the opening to heat the stream of air exhausted from the outlet duct of the cooling system; wherein:   the heating module is operable for heating the stream of air and exhausting the stream of air heated by the one or more heating elements through the opening of the frame, and the heating module is removed from the cooling system when the cooling system is usable for cooling the stream of air.   
     
     
         2 . The heating module of  claim 1 , wherein the securement flange includes an inwardly projecting lip to position the securement flange of the heating module relative to the outlet duct of the cooling system. 
     
     
         3 . The heating module of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more heating elements comprise positive-temperature-coefficient heating elements. 
     
     
         4 . The heating module of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more heating elements are a plurality of heating elements that are adjustably positionable in parallel spaced apart relationship, and the stream of air is heated by flowing between the plurality of heating elements. 
     
     
         5 . The heating module of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more spacers that position a front cover relative to the frame and forward of the one or more heating elements, and the front cover comprises an exhaust grate that is in alignment with the opening in the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The heating module of  claim 1 , further comprising a switch assembly electrically coupled to the one or more heating elements that includes a plurality of heating elements positioned across the opening, wherein the switch assembly is activatable between more than one heating mode, including a first mode that electrically connects less than all of the plurality of heating elements to heat the stream of air and a second mode that electrically connects all of the plurality of heating elements to heat the stream of air. 
     
     
         7 . The heating module of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical receptacle assembly having at least one electrical socket accessible through a front face of the heating module, the electrical receptacle assembly configured to provide power to an electrical device. 
     
     
         8 . The heating module of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling system is an evaporative air cooling system. 
     
     
         9 . The heating module of  claim 8 , wherein a pump of the cooling system is disabled when the heating module is coupled thereto and in a heating mode. 
     
     
         10 . A heating module configured to be securable to a cooling system to form a heating system, wherein the cooling system provides a stream of air, the heating module comprising:
 a securement flange having an annular sidewall configured to be removably securable to the cooling system around an exhaust opening thereof;   a frame formed with an opening for the stream of air to flow;   a plurality of heating elements configured to heat the stream of air and positioned in spaced apart relationship across the opening of the frame;   a front cover having a grate in alignment with the opening in the frame through which the stream of air is exhausted; wherein:   the cooling system comprises an evaporative air cooling system, and   in a heating mode, a pump that supplies water to the evaporative air cooling system is disabled, and the stream of air provided by the evaporative air cooling system flows through a rear opening of the heating module, through the heating module, between the plurality of heating elements, and is exhausted from a front face of the heating module.   
     
     
         11 . The heating module of  claim 10 , wherein the annular sidewall includes a lip to position the heating module relative to the cooling system. 
     
     
         12 . The heating system of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of heating elements comprise positive-temperature coefficient heating elements. 
     
     
         13 . The heating module of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one heater support extending rearward from a rear face of the frame to support the plurality of heating elements that are adjustably positionable in parallel spaced apart relationship rearward of the opening in the frame. 
     
     
         14 . The heating module of  claim 10 , wherein the front cover comprises one or more spacers that position the grate relative to the frame. 
     
     
         15 . The heating module of  claim 10 , further comprising a power supply cord electrically coupled to a switch assembly, wherein the switch assembly is activatable to electrically couple the plurality of heating elements to heat the stream of air, and the switch assembly is operable between one or more modes in which power is supplied from the power supply cord to one or more of the plurality of heating elements and an option for turning the heating module off. 
     
     
         16 . The heating module of  claim 10 , further comprising a power supply cord electrically coupled to an electrical receptacle assembly having at least one electrical socket accessible through the front cover to provide power to an electrical device, wherein the cooling system is powerable thereby. 
     
     
         17 . A heating module configured to be securable to a cooling system to form a heating system, wherein the cooling system provides a stream of air, the heating module comprising:
 a securement flange having an annular sidewall configured to be removably secured to an outlet duct of the cooling system, wherein the annular sidewall includes a lip for positioning the heating module relative to the cooling system;   a frame formed with an opening for the stream of air to flow;   a plurality of positive-temperature-coefficient heating elements positioned to heat the stream of air;   at least one heater support for adjustably positioning the plurality of positive-temperature-coefficient heating elements in parallel spaced apart relationship across the opening of the frame, wherein the stream of air is heated by flowing between the plurality of positive-temperature-coefficient heating elements, and   a grate secured in alignment with the opening in the frame and through which the stream of air is exhausted.   
     
     
         18 . The heating module of  claim 17 , further comprising a switch assembly electrically coupled to the plurality of positive-temperature-coefficient heating elements and configured to be activatable to provide power thereto. 
     
     
         19 . The heating module of  claim 17 , further comprising an electrical receptacle assembly having at least one electrical socket accessible from a front face of the heating module, the electrical receptacle assembly configured to provide power to an electrical device. 
     
     
         20 . The heating module of  claim 17 , wherein a pump of the cooling system is disabled when the heating module is removable secured thereto and the heating module is in a heating mode.