IP Library Granted Patent US 9,267,708
Granted Patent B2
US 9,267,708 · App. 14/518,280 · Granted Feb 23, 2016

Gas-fired heater with carbon dioxide detector

Inventor: Donald R. Jamieson (Oakville, CA)
Assignee: Enerco Group, Inc.
F24H9/2085F23N1/002F23N5/003F24C3/122F24C3/14F24H3/0488F23N2029/02F23N2037/02
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,267,708
App. No.
14/518,280
Granted
Feb 23, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a portable gas-fired heater comprising a housing, a burner assembly, and a carbon dioxide detector system. The housing may, at least, partially enclose one or more fuel sources. The burner assembly can be enclosed by, and recessed into, the housing.

Claims (59)

1. A portable gas-fired heater comprising:

a housing configured to at least partially enclose at least a first fuel source;

a burner assembly disposed in the housing; and

a carbon dioxide detector system comprising:

a standing pilot configured to produce a pilot flame;

a processor configured to:

determine a level of atmospheric carbon dioxide based at least on data indicative of an identified temperature of the pilot flame; and

determine a level of atmospheric oxygen based at least on data indicative of the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

2. The heater of claim 1 , the burner assembly disposed in the housing comprising one or more of:

a gas valve configured to receive fuel from at least the first fuel source;

an orifice in fluid communication with the gas valve;

an air inlet in fluid communication with the environment outside the housing;

a venturi in fluid communication with the orifice, and in fluid communication with the air inlet, the venturi configured to mix air from the air inlet and fuel from the orifice into a fuel-air mixture; and

a combustion region configured to provide a combustion site for the air-fuel mixture, comprising one or more of:

a rear face in fluid communication with the venturi, and

a radiant surface.

3. The heater of claim 2 , the carbon dioxide detector system comprising one or more of:

a safety valve; and

a power source configured to provide power to the processor.

4. The heater of claim 3 , the carbon dioxide detector system comprising a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the pilot flame.

5. The heater of claim 3 , the standing pilot configured to produce a pilot flame, the heat produced by the pilot flame indicative of an amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide present.

6. The heater of claim 1 the first fuel source comprising at least two propane fuel tanks, wherein the propane fuel tanks are at least partially enclosed in the housing.

7. The heater of claim 1 further comprising

a fan; and

a power source for the fan.

8. The heater of claim 7 the power source comprising one or more of:

a dry cell battery; and

a battery pack.

9. The heater of claim 1 comprising an elongated hose assembly configured to provide fluid communication between the heater and a second fuel source.

10. The heater of claim 1 comprising:

a fan configured to increase air circulation through the heater; and

a power source configured to power the fan, the power source comprising one or more of:

a dry cell battery; and

a battery pack.

11. The heater of claim 1 the first fuel source comprising at least two propane fuel tanks, the propane fuel tanks are completely enclosed within the housing.

12. The heater of claim 1 , the first fuel source comprising at least two propane fuel tanks, a first propane tank comprises a first temperature controller and a first igniter and a second propane tank comprises a second temperature controller and a second igniter.

13. A portable gas-fired heating device, comprising:

a housing configured to at least partially enclose at least a first fuel source;

a burner assembly disposed in the housing; and

a carbon dioxide detector system comprising a processor configured to:

determine a level of atmospheric carbon dioxide based at least on data indicative of a detected temperature of a standing pilot; and

determine a level of atmospheric oxygen based at least on data indicative of the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide;

the carbon dioxide detector system configured to cause a fuel supply valve to be shut when a non-desired atmosphere is detected, the non-desired atmosphere comprising one or more of:

an elevated level of atmospheric carbon dioxide; and

a reduced level of atmospheric oxygen.

14. The device of claim 13 , the carbon dioxide detector system comprising a standing pilot configured to produce a pilot flame, the pilot flame configured to heat an associated temperature sensor.

15. The device of claim 14 , the heat produced by the pilot flame indicative of an amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide present.

16. The device of claim 13 , the carbon dioxide detector system comprising a power source configured to provide electrical power to the processor.

17. The device of claim 13 , the carbon dioxide detector system comprising a safety valve configured to close a fuel supply to the device upon cessation of receipt of an open valve signal, the open valve signal indicative of an atmosphere that does not comprise an elevated level of carbon dioxide or a reduced level of oxygen.

18. A method of manufacturing a portable gas-fired heating apparatus, comprising:

producing housing that is configured to at least partially enclose at least a first fuel source;

disposing a burner assembly in the housing; and

disposing a carbon dioxide detector system in operational engagement with at least the first fuel source, the carbon dioxide detector comprising:

a standing pilot configured to produce a pilot flame, the pilot flame configured to heat an associated temperature sensor, the heat produced by the pilot flame indicative of an amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide present;

a processor configured to:

determine a level of atmospheric carbon dioxide based at least on data indicative of the temperature of the temperature sensor; and

determine a level of atmospheric oxygen based at least on data indicative of the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide;

a power source configured to provide electrical power to the processor; and

a safety valve configured to close a fuel supply to the device upon cessation of receipt of an open valve signal, the open valve signal indicative of an atmosphere that does not comprise an elevated level of carbon dioxide or a reduced level of oxygen.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 1, 2024
From: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: ENERCO GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 068148/0262 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ASSIGNMENT AGAINST PROPERTY NUMBER 16731267 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 054837 FRAME 0294. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded May 17, 2021
From: ENERCO GROUP, INC.
To: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 056305/0245 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2020
From: ENERCO GROUP, INC.
To: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 054837/0294 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 10, 2014
From: JAMIESON, DONALD R.
To: ENERCO GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 034446/0796 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 13705888 · Dec 5, 2012
Continuation 12544442 · Aug 20, 2009
Provisional Application 61122165 · Dec 12, 2008
Related Publication 20150050607A1 · Feb 19, 2015