Abstract: A distributed heating and cooling network is described. In one aspect a distributed heating and cooling network used in a district heating architecture is described.

Abstract: A distributed heating and cooling network is described. In one aspect a distributed heating and cooling network used in a district heating architecture is described.

Abstract: A distributed heating network comprising a plurality of individual heat pumps. Each heat pump is individually coupled to a common heat source of the network, the common heat source of the network comprising a liquid loop within the network, the liquid of the loop being maintained at close to ambient temperature through active heat management of the common heat source. The common heat source is further coupled to at least one energy source. A controller is configure to thermally decouple the energy source from the heat.

Abstract: A heat pump network is described. In one aspect a distributed heat pump network used in a district heating architecture is described.

Abstract: Provided is a method for adaptively controlling the charging time of a storage heater, comprising: determining a stored energy requirement of the heater; determining a background heat requirement of the heater; determining a daily energy requirement (DER) based on the stored energy requirement and the background heat requirement; and determining a daily run time (DRT) at a predetermined time to calculate the charging time for a following period of time based on the daily energy requirement (DER).

Abstract: An improved thermal store is provided. The thermal decouples the heat output from the thermal store from the energy provided to the heater.

Abstract: Provided is a method for adaptively controlling the charging time of a storage heater, comprising: determining a stored energy requirement of the heater; determining a background heat requirement of the heater; determining a daily energy requirement (DER) based on the stored energy requirement and the background heat requirement; and determining a daily run time (DRT) at a predetermined time to calculate the charging time for a following period of time based on the daily energy requirement (DER).

Abstract: A controller providing selective activation of thermal storage devices within a network to balance requirements of a user to manage their heating and the network operator to balance the load available with the load on the network.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic display panel for installation on devices subject to temperature fluctuations, the panel comprising a controller configured to deactivate the display panel when the temperature of the display panel is outside a preferred operational temperature range of the display panel.

Abstract: An artificial fireplace comprising a screen and a fuel bed portion. An optical element is provided which is configured to transpose an image of one of the screen and fuel bed to create the impression of a burning fire.

Abstract: A simulated flame effect fire comprising a liquid reservoir for containing liquid; at least one wick having a portion thereof configured for contact with the liquid; a heating element arranged relative to another portion of the at least one wick for evaporating liquid in the wick, thereby generating vapor; a light source arranged relative to the at least one wick for illuminating the vapor from the wick to generate simulated flame effects; and a fuel bed located such that the generated simulated flame effects appear to originate from the fuel bed.

Abstract: A simulated flame effect fire comprising a liquid reservoir for containing liquid; at least one wick having a portion thereof configured for contact with the liquid; a heating element arranged relative to another portion of the at least one wick for evaporating liquid in the wick, thereby generating vapor; a light source arranged relative to the at least one wick for illuminating the vapor from the wick to generate simulated flame effects; and a fuel bed located such that the generated simulated flame effects appear to originate from the fuel bed.

Abstract: An improved thermal store is provided. The thermal decouples the heat output from the thermal store from the energy provided to the heater.

Abstract: An artificial fireplace comprising a screen and a fuel bed portion. An optical element is provided which is configured to transpose an image of one of the screen and fuel bed to create the impression of a burning fire.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to simulated flame effect fires which include an apertured bed, such as a simulated fuel bed, a vapour generating means such as an ultrasonic transducer and means for providing a rising current of air to carry the vapor through the apertured bed. Light sources are provided below the fuel bed to provide localized illumination.

Abstract: An electric fire is described. The fire provides one or more three dimensional flame effects to simulate the effects of a burning fire. A fuel bed for use in an electric fire is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for producing an optical effect, and in particular to an apparatus for producing an optical effect resembling flames and smoke. More especially, the invention relates to flame effect electric fires, such as for domestic use, which may or may not include means for space heating and which include and optical effect to resemble burning solid fuel.

Abstract: An electric fire is described. By incorporating a liquid within a container within the fire, it is possible to effect flicker effects on a screen. A flame pattern is defined by selectively illuminating portions of the screen greater than other portions.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to simulated flame effect fires which include an apertured bed, such as a simulated fuel bed, a vapor generating means such as an ultrasonic transducer and means for providing a rising current of air to carry the vapor through the apertured bed. Light sources are provided below the fuel bed to provide localized illumination.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing an optical effect includes a screen comprising at least one electroluminescent material and associated electrodes for exciting the electroluminescent material to emit light. The electrodes are locally excitable so that the regions of the electroluminescent material generally in the shape of flames may be excited. In an alternative form, or additionally, the screen comprises a material of variable opacity such as a liquid crystal polymer or a suspended particle device, gain, electrodes are locally excitable to locally change the opacity of the screen. The screen is locally illuminated to provide the impression of flames.