A heater comprising a radiative heating element disposed beneath a housing, in a recess formed therein; the recess having a heat reflective surface for reflecting heat radiation from the radiative heating element in a downwards direction. A heat deflecting member is located between the heating element and the reflective surface of the housing to prevent heat emitted from heating element from directly reaching the reflective surface.
1. A radiant heater comprising:
a radiative heating element;
a housing, the underside of which is recessed to receive the radiative heating element, the radiative heating element being disposed beneath the housing such that its upper half is wholly within the recess, and at least a portion of its lower half protrudes downwardly from the recess the recess having a heat reflective surface for reflecting heat radiation from the radiative heating element in a downwards direction; and
a heat deflecting member located between the heating element and the reflective surface of the housing,
wherein the heat deflecting member extends at least partially along a length of the heating element, and
wherein the heat deflecting member is configured to absorb and dissipate radiant heat emitted from the heating element so as prevent heat emitted from the heating element from directly reaching the reflective surface.
2. A radiant heater according to claim 1 wherein two or more adjacent heat deflecting members extend at least partially along the length of the heating element.
3. A radiant heater according to claim 1 , wherein the heat deflecting member is attached to a bracket secured to a top surface of the heating element.
4. A radiant heater according to claim 1 , wherein the heat deflecting member extends above and to each side of the heating element.
5. A radiant heater according to claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a top cover suspended above the reflective surface.
6. A radiant heater according to claim 5 , wherein no insulation is provided between the top cover and the reflective surface.
7. A radiant heater according to claim 3 , wherein the bracket is a “T-shaped” bracket extending upwardly from the top surface of the heating element.
8. A radiant heater according to claim 3 , wherein the heat deflecting member is attached to a plurality of brackets secured to a top surface of the heating element, the plurality of brackets disposed at spaced intervals along the heating element.
9. A radiant heater according to claim 4 , wherein the heat deflecting member includes a horizontal top surface configured to cover a top surface of the heating element, and two downwardly extending surfaces configured to cover side surfaces of the heating element.
10. A radiant heater according to claim 1 , wherein the heat deflecting member extends along a portion of the heating element approximately 1.5 m from an end of the heating element.
11. A radiant heater according to claim 1 , wherein the heat deflecting member has a length of at least 1 m.
12. A radiant heater according to claim 1 , wherein the heat deflecting member has a length of approximately 2.2 m.
13. A radiant heater according to claim 1 , wherein the heat deflecting member comprises stainless steel.
14. A radiant heater according to claim 1 , wherein the heating element is supported within the housing by at least one cable.