Pallet warmer heating unit

摘要

A heating unit for use in heating pallets full of materials includes wall modules and a lid module. The modules include cover layers. Each module may include a heating component disposed between the cover layers and which is configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy and to distribute the heat energy. The heating component includes a heat generating element for converting electrical current to heat energy and a heat spreading element comprising carbon thermally coupled to the heat generating element. The modules may further include a thermal insulation layer. The modules may also include a receiving power connector electrically connected to the heat generating element. The modules may include a seam or hinge formed in a fashion that facilitates folding of the modules in a fashion which allows support members to support a module on an edge of the module.

主权项

1. A heating unit for use in heating one or more items, the heating unit comprising:
a first wall module forming first and second walls of the heating unit and a second wall module forming third and fourth walls of the heating unit, the first and second wall modules being configured for selective coupling to one another to at least partially define an interior space of the heating unit, the interior space being configured to receive the one or more items, the first, second, third, and fourth walls each comprising:
a first cover layer and a second cover layer coupled to the first cover layer;a rigid frame disposed between the first and second cover layers and configured to provide structural support to the wall;a heating component positioned between the first and second cover layers, the heating component including a heat generating element for converting electrical current to heat energy and a heat spreading component comprising a contiguous planar laminate sheet of carbon thermally coupled to the heat generating element for substantially uniformly spreading the heat energy over the wall, the heat generating element of the heating component in the third wall being selectively electrically coupleable to the heat generating element of the heating component in the second wall and being electrically coupled to the heat generating element of the heating component in the fourth wall; andan insulation layer positioned at one side of the heating component and configured to direct heat energy to the interior space of the heating unit; and a lid module configured to rest upon the first and second wall modules to cover and retain heat within the interior space of the heating unit.