AU2007240196B2 - A heater - Google Patents

Description

A HEATER TECIINICAL FIELD The present invention relates to gas heaters. 5 BACKGROUND ART We have marketed a radiant heater under the brand RINNAITM SUPER R AYTM Outdoor Heaters. These consist of a housed arrangement for radiant grids (usually of a ceramic. silicate or the equivalent material to act as a radiant member or radiant members) so as to direct heat 10 downwardly at an angle and over a broadcast area notwithstanding the tendency for convection to take the bear of the combustion gases upwardly and for the housing itself to irradiate heat. Such heaters have typically been configured in a manner substantially as hereinafter described with reference to Figure 1. They have typically been of a stainless steel housing when for outdoor usage- This provides a rust proof enclosure with low hear radiation from the housing. 15 It has been appropriate where such heaters have been mounted beneath canopies, ceilings or other covers likely to be effected by hear to interpose a heat shield between such a covering surface and the heater. Typically a distance of at least one meter above the heater is required to accommodate such shielding and to sill avoid the difficulty with the rising heat and irradiated heat from the housing. 20 We believe there is a need for a gas heater of a kind able to be mounted from a support (eg, brackets from a post or wall) and angled down from the horizontal to heat an area but where it can be raised to a height closer to any such cover. We propose within the gas heater an internal heat shield above the gas burners and at least partly over the flow path for the combustion gases. We take the view that a gas heater having radiant components (of any kind whatsoever) 25 whether metal, ceratnic, or other, can best be used in such a close to cover positioning provided there is both internal shielding of combustion gases below the other surface of the housing (so as to better dissipate heat around the housing), and a cooling flow through of a gas to be heated by heat exchange to temperatures below those that otherwise the combustion gases would attain. Without in any way being restrictive as to the features of a gas heater in accordance with 30 the present invention, we also believe there is some merit in being able to provide an inlet or multiple inlets for air from at or below the burners so as to provide a heat exchange air stream to vent in the space behind and/or above the heater via at least one outlet from the housing. It is an object of the present invendon to provide gas heaters, or the use of gas heaters in circumstances where the advantages desired are obtained and methods of heating which use such 35 gas heaters reliant on the cooler upper housing and/or cooler gas out flows. 1212551.DOC -2 We recognise an advantage from a marketing point of view for an outdoor gas heater which has the capability of being used outdoors or in a manner deemed by regulations to be sufficiently outdoors for its operation, yet which, if desired, can be opetaLed indoors. This is particularly the case now with the prospect that alfresco dining often involves at least partially open 5 areas which can be closed down sufficiently to provide comfort to diners in adverse weather conditions. In such a closed down state ic is not then appropriate to operate an outdoor heater owing to risk of oxygen depletion. We recognise an advantage for outdoor radiant gas heaters which include a failutre to safe provision inl hie event of oxygen depletion. Accordingly we propose the non-mandated use in an outdoor radiant gas heater of an 10 oxygen depletion system which has the effect of failing the heater to safe in the event it is operated in a confined space without an air flow through cven though osLensibly it is weather proofed and otherwise suitably adapted for use as an outdoor hearer. We believe the Australian Gas Association Code will be fully satisfied by the operation of such an outdoor radiant gas heater in a mixed indoor / outdoor environment including such alfresco uses. 15 It is therefore an object of the present invention or an alternative object of the present invention to provide a heater having such characteristics notwithstanding the fact that it is to be marketed as an outdoor radiant gas heater. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 20 In one aspect the invention consists in a radiant gas heater comprising or including a housing that allows radiant heat to be radiated via an open front thereof, at least one gas burner in the housing, at least one radiant component in the housing to be heated sufficiently by combustion of 25 gas of the gas burner(s) to irradiate heat from the housing via the open front thereof, at least one inlet for drawing of air ("primary combustion air") into the housing to support combustion of gas of the burner(s), at least one of each of an inlet, flow path and outlet fox air ("non-combustion air") that is not to, or is not to substantially, support combustion of gas of the burner(s), 30 a heat shield disposed above at least one of the gas burners) and the radiant components) but spaced below the top of the housing; wherein operation of the heater supports combustion of the gas of the gas burners) with both said primary combustion air drawn in from below and secondary combustion air drawn in from the front of the housing (eg, via at least the boom of the open front thereof to support 35 combustion; 1212551 1.DiOC -3and wherein such operation vents combustion gases at least primarily from the housing via at least one outlet of the housing to the front and/or the top near the front; and wherein heat exchange to the non-combustion air results in an outflow thereof via its outlet(s). 5 Preferably said beat shield is disposed over the one or more gas burners. Preferably the combustion gas vents from over the open front. Preferably said outlet(s) for the non-combustion air is to the rear and/or at the rear of the top of the housing. Preferably the inlet(s) for the non, combustion alr is at and/or adjacent the bottom of the 10 housing. Preferably said housing is partitioned so as to prevent any substantial niingling of said non-combustion air with said primary combustion air. Preferably the inlet(s) for the non-combustion air are not also inlet(s) for the primary combustion air. 15 Preferably said heat shield is adapted to deflect combustion gases to the outlet(s) or vent for the combustion gases. Preferably none of the combustion gases vent directly upwards from the top and/ot from the rear of the housing. Preferably a control system for one or more of the gas burner, and pilot therefor, any gas 20 feed to the burner and/or any pilot therefor, is provided in the housing. Preferably said control system is disposed in the housing below and/or adjacent the gas burner(s). Preferably the primary combustion air and/or the non -combustion ai acts to cool the control system in use. 25 Preferably said heat shield is associated with an additional shielding panel within the housing, the additional shielding panel being interposed between the top panel or panels of the housing and said heat shield. Preferably said housing includes an adaption whereby it can be mounted so as to angle the open front thereof downwardly at least slightly from the horizontal. 30 Preferably said open front includes a grid or the like open structure, Preferably said open front is surrounded totally or in part by heat reflectors Preferably said heat reflectors are of a stainless steel and angle into the housing of which they form part from the periphery thereof. Preferably said radiant component(s) are ceramic 121 255 1 1.DOc 4 Preferably tie heater is sufficiently weather proof when operationally mounted so as to protect the interior thereof from normal weathering effects. Preferably there is an oxygen depletion system Sh at off control The invention is also a gas heater as defined in its aspects and/or preferments when 5 subslamniallv as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings In another aspect the invention consists in a radiant gas heater having a housing that defines at least one or more top and bottom panels and lateral panels including an opcn from [hat allows radiant heat to be irradiated, 10 at least one gas burner in the housing, at least one radiant component in the housing to he heated sufficiently by combustion of gas of the gas burner(s) To irradiate heat from the housing via the open front thereof, at least one inlet for drawing of air ("primary combustion air") into the housing (preferably via the bottom pancl(s)) to support combustion of gas of the burner(s), 15 at least one of each of an inlet (preferably the bottom panelss), flow path and outlet for air ("non-combustion air") preferablyy in a Lateral panel or lateral panels eg, the rear) that is not to, or is not to substantially, support combusrion of gas of the burner(s), a heat shield disposed (preferably directly) above at least one of (and preferably both) he gas bunier(s) and the radiant component(s) but spaced below the top panel(s) of the housing; 20 wherein operation of the heater supports combustion of the gas of the gas burner(s) with both said primary combustion air drawn in from below and secondary combustion air drawn in from the front of the housing to support combustion; and wherein such operation vents combustion gases at least from the housing via at least one lateral outlet of the housing (preferably the front or both the front and the rear); 25 and wherein heat exchange to the non-combustion air results in an outflow thereof via its outlet(s). In another aspect the invention is an outdoor radiant gas heater having an oxygen depletion system shut off controL Preferably there is having an oxygen depletion system shut off control. 30 In another aspect the invention consists in a gas heater having within its housing above die burner or burners, and above the radiant coiponent(s), a heat shield spaced down from the upper most panel of the housing. Preferably there is a front outlet from the housing above the radiant components for combustion gases. 35 Preferably there is a rear outlet for gases frorn the housing above the burners. 1212551_1.DOC Preferably passage of combustion gases is to at least the front outlet (preferably at least in part directly undet and/or involving of the heat shield). Preferably there is at least one air inlet at the bottom of the housing feeding a stream of gas upwardly which is adapted to least in part exit from said teat outlet- Preferably that flow is at 5 least in part heat exchange heated. In another aspect the invention consists in a gas heater having within its housing above the burner or burners, and above the radiant component(s), a heat shield spaced down from the upper most panel(s) of the housing and provision laterally below such uppermost panel(s) for allowing the escape of (a) combustion gases and (b) a heat exchange air flow. 10 In another aspect the invention consists in a gas heater having a gas burner or burners adapted or adaprable to receive a gas feed and to combust it, at least one radiaint member to be heated by the combustion of the gas of the bunter(s), a heat shield above both (i) the gas burner(s) and (ii) the radiant memberss, and a housing about the radiant mernber(s), the gas burner(s) and the heat shield, the housing 15 allowing the radiant member(s) to radiate heat directly out of the front of the housing, wherein there is at least one or more of: (a) at least one outlet for hot combustion gases from the top front of the housing, (b) at least one inlet for non-combustion air to be passed in the housing to at least one outlet from the tear of the housing from behind the heat shield, 20 (c) access for at least some ingress of air ("secondary combustion air") from the front to feed the combustion of the gas of the burner(s), and (d) at least one inlet ("inlet(s)") for air ('primary combustion air") into the housing from below the burner(s) and/or behind the burner(s). Preferably the heat shield is set down frorn the Lop of said housing. 25 Preferably the combustion gas vent from over the opening of the open front. Preferably said outlet(s) for the non-combustion air is to the rear and/or at the rear of the top of the housing. Preferably the inlet(s) for the non combustion air is at and/or adjacent the bottom of the housing. 30 Preferably said housing is partitioned so as to prevent any substantial mingling of said non-combustion air with said primary combustion air-. Preferably the inlet(s) for the non-combus ion air are not also inlet(s) for the primary combustion air. Preferably said heat shield is adapted to deflect combustion gases to the outlet(s) or vent 35 for the combustion gases. 12125S11.DOC -6 Preferably none of the combustion gases vent directly upwards from the top and/or ftom the rear of the housing. Preferably a control system for one or more of the gas burner, and pilot therefor, any gas feed to the burner and/or any pili iherefor, is provided in the housing. 5 Preferably such a control system is disposed in the housing below and/or adjacent the gas bumner(s). Preferably the primary combustion air and/or the non-combustion ar acts to cool the control system in use. Preferably said heat shield is associated with an additional shielding panel within the 10 housing, the additional shielding panel being interposed between the top panel or panels of the housing and said heat shield. Preferably said housing includes an adaption whereby it can be mounted so as to angle the open front thereof downwardly at least slightly from the horizontal. Preferably said opun front includes a grid or the like open structure. 15 Preferably said open front is surrounded totally or in part by heat reflectors. Preferably said heat reflectors are of a stainless steel and angle into the housing of which they form part from the periphery thereof. Preferably said radianL components) are ceramic. Preferably the heater is sufficiently weather proof so as to protect the interior thereof 20 from normal weathering effects. In another aspect the invention consists in a gas heater having within its housing above the burner or burners, and above the radiant component(s), a heat shield spaced down from the upper most panel(s) of the housing and provision laterally below such uppermost panel(s) for allowing the escape of (a) combustion gases and (b) a heat exchange air flow. 25 In another aspect the invention consists in a gas heater having a gas burner or burners adpted or adaptable to receive a gas feed arid to colbust it., at least one radiant member to be heated by the cormbustion of the gas of the burner(s), a heat shield to deflect combustion gases above the gas burner(s), and a housing about the radiant memberss, the gas buner(s) and the heat shield, the housing 30 allowing the radiant members) to radiate heat directly out of the front of the housing, wherein there is at least one or more of: (a) at least one outlet for hot combustion gases from laterally of the housing, (b) at least one inlet for non-combustion air to be passed in the housing to at least one outlet laterally from the housing, 12-255U1.DOC (c) access for at least some ingress of air ("secondary combustion air") to feed the combusuon of the gas of the burner(s), and (d) at least one inlet inletst(s)) fer air ("primary combustion air") into the housing. In another aspect the invention consists in a gas heater having 5 a gas hurncr or burners adapted or adaptable to receive a gas feed and to combust it, at least one radiant member to be heated by the combustion of the gas of the burnerss, a heat shield above both (i) the gas burners) and (ii) the radiant member(s), and a housing about the radiant remiber(s), the gas burner(s) and the heat shield, the housing allowing the radiant member(s) to radiate heat directly oui of the front of the housing, 10 wherein the heat shield is set down from the top of the housing within the housing. In another aspect the invention consists in a gas heater having a gas burner or burners adapted or adaptable to receive a gas feed and to combust it, at least one radiant member to be heated by the combustion of the gas of the bumer(s), a heat shield above both (i) the gas burner(s) and (ii) the radiant member(s), and 15 a housing about the radiant memberss, the gas burners) and the hear shield, the housing (a) allowing both an inflow of primary and secondary combustion supporting inflows to the gas or combusting gas and (b) allowing the radiant members) to radiate heat directly out of the front of the housing. Preferably porting and flow path(s) allows an air upflow for heating by heat exchange 20 within the housing prior to its discharge. Preferably the combustion gas vent frorn over the opening of the open front. Preferably said outlets for the non combustion air is to the rear and/or at the rear of the top of the housing. Preferably the inlet(s) for the non-combustion air is al and/or adjacent the bottom of the 25 housing. Preferably said housing is partitioned so as to prevent any substantial mingling of said non-combustion air with said primary combustion air. Preferably the inlet(s) for the non-combustion air are not also inlet(s) for the primary combustion air. 30 Preferably said heat shield is adapted to deflect combustion gases to the outlets) or vent for the combustion gases. Preferably none of the combustion gases vent directly upwards from the top and/or from the rear of the housing. Preferably a control systern for one or more of the gas burner, and pilot therefor, any gas 35 feed to the burner and/or any pilot therefor, is provided in the housing. 1212551 1.DOC -8 Preferably such a control system is disposed in the housing below and/or adjacent the gas burner(s). Preferably the primary combustion air and/or the non-combustion air acts to cool the control system in use. 5 Preferably said heat shield is associated with an additional shielding panel within the housing, the additional shielding panel being interposed between the top panel or panels of the housing and said heat shield. Preferably said housing includes an adaption whereby it can be mounted so as to angle the open front thereof downwardly at least slightly from the horizontal. 10 Preferably said open front includes a gid or the like open structure Preferably said open front is surrounded totally or in part by heat reflectors. Preferably said heat reflectors are of a stainless steel and angle into the housing of which they form part from the periphery thereof Preferably said radiant components) are ceramic. 15 Preferably the heater is sufficiently weather proof so as to protect the interior thereof from normal weathering effects. In another aspect the invention consists in a gas heater having a gas burner or burners adapted or adaptable to receive a gas feed and to combust it, at least one radiant member to be heated bv the combustion of the gas of the burner(s), 20 a heat shield above at least the gas burner(s), and a housing about the radiant member(s), the gas burner(s) and the heat shield, the housing allowing the radiant member(s) to radiate heat directly out of the front of the housing, wherein the heat shield is set down from the top of the housing within the housing, and wherein there are lateral outlets for combustion gases and a heat exchange airflow 25 through the part of the housing. In another aspect the invention consists in a gas heater having a gas burner or burners adapted or adaptable to receive a gas feed and to combust it, at least one radiant member to be heated by the combustion of the gas of the burner(s), a heat shield above the gas burner(s), and 30 a housing about the radiant mermbet(s), the gas burner(s) and the heat shield, the housing (a) allowing from below and from in front respectively an inflow of primary and secondary combustion supporting inflows to the gas or combusting gas, (b) allowing the radiant members) to radiare heat directly out of the front of the housing and (c) allowing an air upflow for heating by heat exchange within the housing prior to its discharge. 35 Tn another aspect the invention is the use or operation of a heater as aforesaid. 1212551 1.DOC - 9 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS A preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompany drawings in which 5 Figure 1 is a diagram of a two cerainic plaque version SUPER RAYTM gas heater referred to earlier, Figure 2 is a five ceramic plaque variant of the heater of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a view straight into the front face or lateral front of a preferred outdoor heater in accordance with the present invention showing a metal grid over the (in this case three) radiant 10 components to be heated by the gas flames, die radiant components being of a suilable ceramic, Figure 4 is a top view of the unit of Figure 3 looking down on it along lines of sight parallel to the frontal notional planar area of the heater, the view showing two top panels (one a faceting panel), Figure 5 is a bottom view of the heater of Figures 3 and 4, 15 Figure 6 is a left hand side view of a heater of Figures 3 rough 5 showing a mounting bracket on a facet providing panel between a bottom panel and the rear panel and a top panel inclined to it (but which is to he only slightly rising to the front when triounted in use by the bracket), Figure 7 is the right hand side of the heater of Figures 3 through 6, there being shown 20 Lhe gas inlet to the gas injectors, Figure 8 is an isometric view of the unit of Figures 3 through 7 front one side on the rear, Figure 9 is a similar view to thaL of Figure 8 but from the ether side and at an angle that shows the vents for primary air intake and to the rear thereof the non combustion air from the bottom panel, 23 Figure 10 is a similar view of the unit (i.e. as mounted) buL Lhis time in isometric froin Lhe front from that side which has the gas inlet, Figure 11 is another view but similar to Figure 10 (i.e. from the other side), Figure 12 shows a similar view to Figure 7 but showing the heater angled for use, the frontal notional planar area of the housing and its reflectors (preferably forming part of the 30 housing), being angled backwards from the horizontal by the angle alpha, Figure 13 is a view from above of the uniL when mounted as in Figure 12, Figure 14 is a view directly from in front (i.e. horizontally) showing the outlet for the combustion gases to the fore above the downwardly inclined radiant components which otherwise are surrounded by the inwardly inclined reflectors, 121 2551_i1DOC -10 Figure 15 is a view upwardly from below of the unit when mounted as in Figure 12 thereby showing the inlets for primary air to support combustion and inlets to provide the bypass non-combustion air flow which acts to cool the housing, Figure 16 is a sectional View at A-A of Figure 14, the arrows showing the combustion gas 5 discharge primarily to the front but also (at least in part) to the rear via lateral Vents, the vents being louvered to the fronL (for weaLher protection and to reflect heat downwardly) and rain protected to die rear, the combustion gases deflecting off the heat shield shown preferably as a planar member set down from the top of the housing, Figure 16A is an enlarged view of Figure 16 showing various components of the 10 construction. Figure 17 is a similar viexv to that of Figure 16 but this time showing air inflows, the primary air inflow being from below upwardly to the gas injector and buyers, the secondary inflow to support combustion being via the open face. and the non-combustion supporting gas being an upflow from the bottom or via the fact pancl at or adjacent the bottom (or both) to be heated by 15 heat exchange and to vent laterally of the unit as or adjacent its top, and Figure 17A is an enlarged view of the arrangement shown in Figure 17 again showing some preferred components. Without restriction on shape of the housing, the number of burners and plaques, a preferred embodiment is now described. 20 Features of the present invention are the provision of the features shown by reference numerals 1 through 6 in Figures 16A and 17A. In these figures there is shown; 1. A stainless steel reflector; 2. A radian: heat shield; 3. A top panel of the housing; 25 4. A burner; 5. A ceramic plaqLue (a preferred form of the radiant component described previously); 6. A burner injector. As can be seen from Figures 12 through 17B, the front face is adapted to angle back from 30 the vertical by an angle alpha. This angle preferably is in the range from 25 to 75' (ideally about 35 to 550) but it depends on the height at which it is mounted relative to where people might be and what proportion of combustion gases are to vent to each of the force and aft. Preferably however the arrangement is such that the top panel 3 still has a slight incline from rear to front- Likewise the heat shield 1, for example of a planat sheet of a high temperature 35 stainless steel, which is set down and spaced from the top panel 3 but which has interposed 1212s51 .DOC -11 therebetween a further radiant teflector or heat shield 2. This further radiant barrier 2 assists in reducing tipper frontal temperatures eg, to) no more than about 400'. Shown by reference numeral 7 are top vent ouLlets (preferably louvre so as to be provided with weather resistance at the angle of which it was moun ted) above the open face otherwise 5 defined by the three preferably planar but inwardly angled reflectors 8 of the housing. The top panel angles down to above the louvres from the top panel 3 through a facet panel 9. Similarly the base region 10 angles upwardly via facet panel 11 ro a lateral retr panel1 12 It is to [he facet panel II that the mounting bracket arrangement 13 (as shown) is mounted. Shown in Figure 5 are a variety of openings 14 dedicated to an inflow of primary 10 combustion air. Also shown is an intake 15 dedicated to non-combustion air. Shown in Figure 9 above is a rear lateral outlet 16. There is therefore a series of intakes, ports, openings or the like to provide for inflow of primary combustion air and inflow of non-combtus don air. 'There is the provision of the louvered top front outlet or vent 7 for at least some of the combustion gases. Similarly the rear top outlet, 15 port, vent or the like 14 can allow some of the hot combustion gases to be discharged there if appropriate i.e. depending on wind directions, depending on -angle of inclination of the heat shield, etc. As can be seen the primary and cooling air enters upwardly (see Figure 1 7A). Non combustion air passes in a heat exchange relationship through the housing to be released via the 20 rear top oudet 16. That outlet 16 as can be seen in Figure 17A is protected by an invardly directed rain shield. That outlet 16 can also allow sonie diversion thereto of the hot combustion gases, As can be seen the burner 4 fed via gas input 17 has the injector 6 thereof positioned still further down in the housing where it can ir ject gas st-aighi intfo admixture with the primary' air rising to the zone shown by the arrow labelled primary combustion air in Figures 17A. Burning 25 then in the burner behind the ceramic plaques 5 is further supported by the roll in or draw in of secondary combustion air from the front as shown in Figure 17A . At the same time flow through under the draft effect of cooling air as shown to the rear of the burger occurs. This is via inlet. 11. Disposed in the bottom of the housing as shown in Figures 16A and 17A are control aspects of the device which are presented underneath the combustion and are shielded from the 30 radiant effects of the ceramic plaque 5. Moreover such control systems arc subjected to cooling under the drafting effect of at least the primary combustion air and preferably also the cooling air to bypass combustion. It is desirable if such a unit is to be operated outdoors but in circumstances where there can be some confinement of the area around the heater to have the control system include an 35 ("ODS") oxygen depletion system to provide shut down. Such a system is similar to that which we 12T255] [.DOC - 12 hitherto have employed in indoor gas heaters. Likewise the ignition, pilot and main burner controls. The unit as shown as a remote IR receiver 18 for remote inputs of control instructions It is found a heater as in the preferred embodiment can be operated outdoors or mdoors/outdoors yet be kept close under not otherwise shielded awnings, ceilings or roofs. 5 In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in 10 the art. 1212551 1.DOc

Claims (21)

1. A radiant gas heater comprising or including 5 a housing that allows radiant heat to be irradiaLed via an open front thereof, at least one gas burner in the housing, at least one radiant component in the housing to be heated sufficiently by combustion of gas of the gas burner(s) to irradiate heat from the housing via the open front thereof, at least one inlet for drawing of air ("primary combustion air") into the housing to 10 support combustion of gas of the burnerss, at least one of each of an inlet, flow path and outlet for air ("non-combustion air") that is not to, or is not to substantially, support combustion of gas of the burner(s), a heat shield disposed above at least one of the gas bumer(s) and the radiant components) hut spaced below the top of the housing; 15 wherein operation of the heater supports combustion of the gas of the gas burner(s) with both said primary combustion air drawn in from below and secondary combustion air drawn in from the front of the housing (eg, via at least the bottom of the open front thereof) to support combustion; and wherein such operation vents combustion gases at least primarily from the housing 20 via at least one outlet of the housing to the front and/or the top near the front; and wherein heat exchange to the non-combustion air .esuhs in an outflow there of via its outletss.

2. A heater of claim 1 wherein the heat shield is disposed over the one or more gas burnersL

3. A heater of claim I or 2 wherein the combustion gas vents from over the open front. 25

4. A heater of any one of the preceding claims wherein said outlet(s) for the non-combustion air is to the rear and/or at the rear of the top of the housing.

5. A heater of any one of the preceding claims wherein the inleL(s) for the non-combustion air is at and/or adjacent the bottom of the housing.

6, A heater of any one of the preceding claims wherein said housing is partitioned so as to 30 prevent any substantial mingling of said non-combustion air with said primary combustion air.

7. A heater of any one of the preceding claims wherein the inlet(s) for the non combustion ait are not also inlet(s) for the primary combustion air.

8. A heater of any one of the preceding claims wherein said heat shield is adapted to deflect combustion gases to the outlet(s) or vent for the combustion gases.

12312.5.DC -14

9. A heater of any one of the preceding claims wherein none of the combustion gases vent directly upwards from the top And/or from the rear of the housing.

10. A heater of any one of the preceding claims wherein a control system for one or lore of the gas burner, and pilot therefor, any gas feed to the burner and/or any pilot therefor, is provided 5 in the housing.

11. A heater of claim 10 wherein said control system is disposed in the housing bclow and/or adjacent die gas burner(s).

12. A heater of claim 10 or 11 wherein the primary combustion air and/or the non combustion air acts to cool the control system in use. 10

13. A beater of any one of the preceding claims wherein said heat shield is associated with an additional shielding panel within the housing, the additional shielding panel being imcrposed between the Lop panel or panels of the housing and said heat shield.

14. A heater of any one of the preceding claims wherein said housing inchides an adaption wheteby it can be mounted so as to angle the open front thereof downwardly at least slightly from 15 the horizontal.

15. A heater of any one of the preceding claims wherein said open front includes a grid or the ike open structure.

16. A heater of any one of the preceding claims wherein said open front is surrounded Lotally or in part by hear reflectors. 20

17. A heater of claim 16 wherein said heat reflectors are of a stainless steel and angle into the housing of which they form part from the periphery thereof.

18. A heater of any one of the preceding claims wherein said radiant cornponent(s) arc ceratmnc

19. A heater of any one of the preceding claims wherein the heater is sufficiently weather 25 proof when operationally mounted so as to protect the interior thereof from normal weathering effects

20. A heater of any one of the preceding claims wherein there is an oxygen depletion system shut off control.

21. A gas healer of any one of claims 1 Lo 20 when substantially as hereinbefore described 30 with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. 1212551_L.DOC