Stoves and furnaces – Stoves – Heating
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-26
2004-12-07
Cocks, Josiah (Department: 3749)
Stoves and furnaces
Stoves
Heating
C126S09200C
Reexamination Certificate
active
06827079
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for cooling hot areas of infrared conduits in a gas fired infrared radiant heater.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Gas fired infrared heaters typically are used in large industrial settings. A gas heater burns natural gas, propane, or similar combustible gases and the combustion by-products or exhaust gasses pass through a heat exchanger conduit to heat a building. The gas heater creates a hot exhaust gas stream flowing through heat exchanger conduits, causing the conduits to become hot and radiate energy waves therefrom. Reflector plates are often used to reflect the energy waves toward the desired location, usually toward the floor, where the infrared energy waves are converted into heat.
In some environments it is desirable that no surface temperature exceed predefined limits. Often in certain environments, federal or state restrictions limit the maximum surface temperature on any surface within an enclosed area.
Prior art infrared heaters cannot be used in these of environments because the temperatures on their surfaces exceed these limits. Therefore, often no heat is provided in these environments for this reason.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention limits the peak temperature on the external surface of a conduit associated with infrared gas burners by cooling the conduit and/or shutting off the burner if necessary. At least one thermocouple, or other temperature measuring device, is installed at a predetermined point on the conduit corresponding to the peak temperature location for signaling a control valve to shut off the burner when the peak temperature on the external surface of the conduit approaches a predefined limit.
An improvement to the infrared heater system provides for a forced air convective cooling system, such as a fan or blower, with proper velocity vectoring via a deflector or other flow directing device to cool a conduit hot spot. The cooling system can be designed as a part of a control system to operate the blower. The convective cooling allows the burner to run continuously for a longer period of time and, therefore, more efficiently with a more uniform temperature gradient throughout the tubing system. This mode of operation produces more usable heat for a given amount of fuel consumed.
Other applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3805763 (1974-04-01), Cowan
patent: 4390125 (1983-06-01), Rozzi
patent: 4634373 (1987-01-01), Rattner
patent: 4716883 (1988-01-01), Johnson
patent: 4727854 (1988-03-01), Johnson
patent: 5052921 (1991-10-01), Hemsath
patent: 6286500 (2001-09-01), Jones
patent: 36 30 098 (1988-03-01), None
patent: WO 95/32399 (1995-11-01), None
Ahmady, Farshid, “Solaronics: Gas-Fired IR Burners are Worth Considering,” Process Heating publication, Jul./Aug. 1994.
“Honing a Specialty,” Appliance publication, Jun. 1992.
“Solaronics Gas Infra-Red Burners for Commercial, Industrial and Residential Appliances” company brochure.
“Solaronics Infra-Red Heaters” product brochure, 15620/SOL.
Cocks Josiah
Solaronics, Inc.
Young & Basile P.C.
LandOfFree
Apparatus and method for reducing peak temperature hot spots... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus and method for reducing peak temperature hot spots..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus and method for reducing peak temperature hot spots... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3275699