Heating device having electric and fuel powered heat sources
A portable device which generates heat and which can be used alternatively as a corded, plug-in device or as a cordless, fuel-powered device. The device has dual heating capabilities—each of which is powered by a unique cartridge. For use as a plug-in device an electric cartridge that connects the device to an adapter is utilized, whereas for use as a portable device a fuel cartridge is utilized for supplying a hydrocarbon fuel to support combustion. Use of one of the cartridges prevents the use of the other.
1. An apparatus for generating heat comprising:
a housing;
at least two heat sources disposed in said housing, said heat sources comprising an electric heating element and a combustion chamber for supporting hydrocarbon combustion, said heating element being powered by electric current, said combustion chamber comprising a combustion nozzle for supporting combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel; and a cartridge connection assembly being adapted to selectively receive a fuel cartridge or an electric cartridge, said fuel cartridge comprising a connector for delivering electric current to power said heating element, wherein said cartridge connection assembly is sized to hold only one of said fuel cartridge or electric cartridge at a time, whereby both said fuel cartridge and said electric cartridge are prevented from simultaneously being held in said apparatus.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an electric circuit, said circuit comprising direct current flowing from said electric cartridge to said heating element.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a switch for interrupting flow of electric current in said circuit.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said heating element comprises PTCR material.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a fuel-metering device.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises a dispensing end and a handle.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said handle comprises a cavity, said cavity adapted to receive either said electric cartridge and said fuel cartridge.
8. An apparatus for generating heat comprising:
a housing;
at least two heat sources disposed in said housing said heat sources comprising an electric heating element and a combustion chamber for supporting hydrocarbon combustion, said heating element being powered by electric current, said combustion chamber comprising a combustion nozzle for supporting combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel; and a cartridge connection assembly being adapted to receive a fuel cartridge said fuel cartridge comprising a hydrocarbon fuel for said combustion, said device adapted to receive a power cord for supplying power to said heating element, wherein said device is sized to hold only one of said fuel cartridge or electric cartridge at a time, whereby both said fuel cartridge and said electric cartridge are prevented from simultaneously being held in said apparatus.
9. An apparatus for generating heat comprising:
a housing;
a thermally conductive heating plate for receiving a mat impregnated with a volatilizable substance disposed in said housing;
said heating plate disposed above two separate heat sources, said heat sources comprising an electric heating element and a combustion chamber for supporting hydrocarbon combustion, said heating element being powered by electric current, said combustion chamber comprising a combustion nozzle for supporting combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel; and a tank connection assembly being adapted to selectively receive a fuel cartridge or an electric cartridge, said fuel cartridge comprising a hydrocarbon fuel for said combustion, said electric cartridge comprising a connector to deliver electric current to power said heating element, wherein said housing is configured to receive only one of said cartridges at a time.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising an electric circuit, said circuit comprising current flowing from said connector to said heating element.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a switch for interrupting flow of electric current in said circuit.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said heating element comprises PTCR material.
13. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a fuel-metering device.
14. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said handle comprises a dispensing end and a handle.
15. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said handle comprises a cavity, said cavity adapted to alternatively receive said electric cartridge and said fuel cartridge.