CA2364481A1 - Portable heater - Google Patents

Portable heater Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2364481A1
CA2364481A1 CA002364481A CA2364481A CA2364481A1 CA 2364481 A1 CA2364481 A1 CA 2364481A1 CA 002364481 A CA002364481 A CA 002364481A CA 2364481 A CA2364481 A CA 2364481A CA 2364481 A1 CA2364481 A1 CA 2364481A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
radiator
fan
portable heater
units
portable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002364481A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Kosta L. Pelonis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2364481A1 publication Critical patent/CA2364481A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24DDOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D19/00Details
    • F24D19/008Details related to central heating radiators
    • F24D19/0087Fan arrangements for forced convection
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24HFLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H3/00Air heaters
    • F24H3/002Air heaters using electric energy supply
    • F24H3/004Air heaters using electric energy supply with a closed circuit for a heat transfer liquid
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24HFLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H3/00Air heaters
    • F24H3/02Air heaters with forced circulation
    • F24H3/04Air heaters with forced circulation the air being in direct contact with the heating medium, e.g. electric heating element
    • F24H3/0405Air heaters with forced circulation the air being in direct contact with the heating medium, e.g. electric heating element using electric energy supply, e.g. the heating medium being a resistive element; Heating by direct contact, i.e. with resistive elements, electrodes and fins being bonded together without additional element in-between
    • F24H3/0411Air heaters with forced circulation the air being in direct contact with the heating medium, e.g. electric heating element using electric energy supply, e.g. the heating medium being a resistive element; Heating by direct contact, i.e. with resistive elements, electrodes and fins being bonded together without additional element in-between for domestic or space-heating systems
    • F24H3/0417Air heaters with forced circulation the air being in direct contact with the heating medium, e.g. electric heating element using electric energy supply, e.g. the heating medium being a resistive element; Heating by direct contact, i.e. with resistive elements, electrodes and fins being bonded together without additional element in-between for domestic or space-heating systems portable or mobile
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02BCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Direct Air Heating By Heater Or Combustion Gas (AREA)
  • Air-Conditioning For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

A portable heater includes a radiator having multiple tubular units and an electric heating element in the radiator for heating the diathermal fluid. A
fan positioned above the seated radiator directs air on the upper portions of the tubular units to enhance convection of the fluid.

Description

PORYABL-E HEATER
BACKGROUND OP THE INVENTION
f=ield of the Invention Th~ present invention relates to portable heating devices.
2. Brief Description of th~a Prior Art As home hating oil and natural gas prices fluctuate upward, there is an increasing need for efficient, inexpensive portable heaters. Portable heaters provide flexibility to enhance the comfort of specific rooms within a centrally-heated horns, without incurring the cost of employing the central furnace to heat the entire home, fr~Giuding unoccupied rooms.
Portabfsr heaters are wail known in the art. One well-known type of portable heater is the portable radiator-type heater. F~eamplss of portable radiator-type heaters are disGosed in U.S, Patents 4,483,974, 4,870,253, 5,9t~B,498, and D , 341,ti'S~4, 2b Portable radiator heaters typically include a set of flattened, tubular radiator units filled with a diathermal fluid such as mineral oil. The radiator units are joined proximate their tops by arr~~upper header and proximate their bottoms by a lawer headers. The headers permit the thermal fluid to how between radiator units.
An electric heating element is provided in the lower header, The heating element serves to warm the diathermal fluid ~o that the fluid circulates through the radiator unii~ by thermal convection, to warm the air adjacent to the exterior surfaces of the tubular radiator units.
U.~, Patent 4,879,253 disdvses a portable radiator type heater equipped with an air-cdrculating fan under the radiator units. The fan optionally includes resistive heating elements far preheating air expelled by the fan. The orientation of the exhaust of the fan can be varied from a generally vertical position in which the fan exhaust Is directed upward through the radiator units, to a generally horizontal position in which the exhaust is directed outward away from the radiator units.
The greater the number of radiator units, the greater their collective surface area, the greater the rate of heat transs'er from the radiator unit to the surrounding air. Thus, it is desirable to employ as many radiator units as practical, On the other hand. .each additional radiator unit adds to the cost of manufacturing the -2.
portable heater. Thus, there is a need for a portable radiator type heater that employs a reduced number of radiator units, yet provides effective heat transfer from the radiator units to the room air.
SUMMARY QF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a portable heater comprising a sealed radiator containing a diathermal fluid. The radiator inGudes a plurality of tubular radiator units. Each of the tubular radiator units has respective upper portions and respective lower portions. The portable heater further includes at least one electric heating elemerd positioned within the sealed radiator, as well as a fan positioned above the sealed radiator for directing air on the upper portions of the tubular radiator units, The fan is effective to cool the upper portions of the tubular units.
This enhances thermal convection of the diathermal fluid within the tubular radiator units.
The present invention thus advantageously reduces the surtace area required for transferring heat from the electric heating element via the diathermal fluid to the room air. Thus, at least one fewer tubular radiator unit is required, with a ronc~amitant reduction in the cost of manufacturing the portable heater. In addition, the radiator can be maintained at a cooler temperature, It has been calculated that for every 10 degrees Celsius that the operating temperature can be reduced, the power consumption per tubular radiator unit can be concomitantly reduced by 250 watts. Thus, the power consumption of the portable heater can be advantageously reduced. Further, the present invention provides more rapid heat ~5 distribcrtion from the portable heater to the room.
preferably, the heater includes a centrifugal fan driven by an electric motor, It is also preferred that a quiet fan be employed. To that end, it is preferred that the electric motor operates at low rpm, preferably at less than 250Q rpm, and more preferably at less than 1000 rpm. Preferably, the portable heater inGudes a cover enclosing the fan.
DRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a portable heater according to the present invention, showing assembly of the heater and the major components thereof.
DETAIt_ED DESCRIPTIpN
referring now to the figure in which like reference numerals represent like ale~m~nt in each of the several views, there is shown in Fig. 1 a portable heater 10 of the present invenkion. The portable heater 10 includes a central radiator formed from a plurality of generally flat, tubular radiator units 22 fanned from a suitable material such as sheet metal.
Proximate the top of each of the radiator units 22 and symmetrically extending outwardly of each side thereof there are fomned a pair of upper header elements 23, each in this farm of a truncated cone. Similarly, proximate the bottom of each of the radiator units 10 and symmetrically extending outwardly from each side thereof there are formed a pair of lower header elements 25, each in the form of a truncated cone.
When the radiator 20 is assembled, each of the upper header elements 23 are collinear, thus forming an upper header section 24, and providing a flaw path for fluid in between the interiors of the tubular radiator units 22, the exteryor faang upper leader elements of the first and last radiator units 22 being sealed.
Similarly, when the radiator 20 is assembled, each of the lower header elements are collinear, thus forming a lower header section 28, and providing a flow path 20 for fluid in between the interiors of the tubular radiator units 22, The portion of the radiator 20 proximate the top of the radiator 20 can be referred to as the upper portion 28 and the portion of the radiator 20 proximate the bottom of the radiator 20 can be referred to as the lower portion 30.
An electrical resistanrx-heating element 40 is positioned inside the radiator 25 20 wifihin the lower header section 26, The radiator 20 is filled with a diathermal fluid such as an inert oil, for example, mineral ail, for transferring heat from the electrical resistance heating element 40 to the exterior surfaces of the radi~rtor units 22. The interior of the radiator 20 is sealed against leakage of the diathermal fluid.
A wiring harness 32 connects the heating element 40 with a source of external electrical power via a power cord 34 and with various electric control devices. A thermostat 4z controls operation of the electrical resistance-heating element 40. A thermal fuse 44 is also provided positioned proximate the radiator 20 as a safety device against overheating of the radiator 20. In addition, a tip-over switch 4s is provided to cut off current to the heating element 40 should the Portable heater 10 be accidentally tipped over. A temperature limiter 48 is also provided as a safety measure. A power switch 50 is provided to control overall operation of the portable heater 10.
A fan 52 is provided proximate the top of the radiator 20. The fan 52 includes a generally cylindrical housing S6 with a downwardly directly outlet for blowing air over the upper portion 28 of the radiator 20, The fan also includes a generalhy cylindrical "squircel cage"-type fan blade assembly 54, supported at one end by a suitable bearing 62. The fan 52 includes a motor 62 tfiat drives the fan blade assembly 54 through a suitable drive 58. A baffle plate 64 is provided in between the fan housing 58 and the fan motor 62. The fan motor 62 is mounted above an insulation plate fib for thermally insulating the tan motor 62 from the radiator 20. Preferably, the fan molar 62 is of a low rpm type, preferably having an operating speed of less than 2500 rpm and more preferably less than 1500 rpm, so that the fan 52 operates quietly.
The portable heater 10 also includes a front cover 68 and a rear cover 74 each formed from a suitable material, such as by molding a suitable heat-resistant therma~plastic material. The front cover 68 is adapted to receive a control pane! 70 proximate the top of the front cover 68, the control panel 70 having a plurality of apertures formed therein for receiving knobs 92 for controlling the power switch 50 and tt~e thermostat 42, as well a pilot lamp 94 for indicating operation of the portable heater 10. The control panel 70 also include$ a molded-in handle 72, and the rear cover 74 includes an aperture for receiving a corresponding handle 76, to permit the portable heater 10 to be moved. The front panel 88 is also adapted to recoive a cord wrap plate 98 proximate the bottom of the front panel for wrapping the electrical power cord 34. A pair of wheel units 96 fitted with suitable wheels or castors is provided under the radiator 20 to facilitate moving the portable heater 10. In addition, a generally "U"-shaped top cover 80 is provided for covering the upper portion 28 of the radiator 28 and enGosing the fan 52, The top cover 80 is provided with a plurality of louvers 82 adapted to cool the top cover 80 and to permit air to drawn into the fan enGosure. The front cover 68 and the rear cover 3U 74 are also provided with a plurality of louvers 78 to permit air cir4ulation and cooling.
It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that charges may be made in the above described embodiment of the invention without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is hot limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover ail modifications, which are within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims (7)

1. A portable heater comprising:
(a) a sealed radiator containing a diathermal fluid, the radiator including a plurality of tubular radiator units, the tubular radiator units having respective upper portions and respective lower portions;
(b) at least one electric heating element positioned within the sealed radiator;
(c) a fan positioned above the sealed radiator for directing air on the upper portions of the tubular radiator units the fan being effective to cool the upper portions of the tubular units to enhance thermal convection of the diathermal fluid within the tubular radiator units.
2. A portable heater according to claim 1 wherein the fan comprises a centrifugal fan.
3. A portable heater according to claim 2 further comprising an electric motor for driving the centrifugal fan.
4. A portable heater according to claim 3 wherein the electric motor operates at low rpm.
5. A portable heater according to claim 4 wherein the electric motor operates at less than 2500 rpm.
6. A portable heater according to claim 5 wherein the electric motor operates at less than 1000 rpm.
7. A portable heater according to claim 1 further comprising a cover enclosing the fan.
CA002364481A 2000-11-30 2001-11-30 Portable heater Abandoned CA2364481A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US25024900P 2000-11-30 2000-11-30
US60/250,249 2000-11-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2364481A1 true CA2364481A1 (en) 2002-05-30

Family

ID=22946949

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002364481A Abandoned CA2364481A1 (en) 2000-11-30 2001-11-30 Portable heater

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20020076213A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2364481A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2231045B1 (en) * 2004-11-03 2007-07-16 Bsh Ufesa Industrial, S.A. HEATING BODY STRUCTURE WITH A COVER.
ES2231044B1 (en) * 2004-11-03 2006-07-16 Bsh Ufesa Industrial, S.A. HEATING BODY STRUCTURE, IN PARTICULAR AN OIL RADIATOR.
ES2276567B1 (en) * 2004-11-26 2008-05-16 Investigacion Y Desarrollo Electrico Asturiano, S.L. HEATING DEVICE.
WO2006026897A1 (en) * 2004-12-13 2006-03-16 Guoning Yao One kind of improved electrical heater filled with oil
ITUD20060223A1 (en) * 2006-10-23 2008-04-24 De Longhi Spa MOBILE DEVICE FOR THE HEATING OF ENVIRONMENTS
ES1065787U (en) * 2007-06-08 2007-11-01 Jose Romero Perez Modular electric radiator
US20090180765A1 (en) * 2008-01-14 2009-07-16 Ming-Hsiang Yeh Multiple-power-selection heat storage device
FR2932946A1 (en) * 2008-06-23 2009-12-25 Thomson Licensing METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A FAN BASED ON THE POSITION OF AN APPARATUS, AND APPARATUS USING THE METHOD
DE102008055585B3 (en) * 2008-12-23 2010-04-29 Jiri Burda Modular heating and lighting system for the construction of lighting and heating elements
ITMI20090295A1 (en) * 2009-02-27 2010-08-28 Dl Radiators Spa ACCESSORY OF A RADIATOR FOR THE HEATING OF AN ENVIRONMENT
WO2010108306A1 (en) * 2009-03-27 2010-09-30 先锋电器集团有限公司 Electric air-flow radiator
US20130062336A1 (en) * 2011-09-12 2013-03-14 Ji Yong Zhang Heater
US20160161145A1 (en) * 2011-09-12 2016-06-09 Homeeasy Industrial Co., Ltd Heater Having Heating Core and Conductive Fin
US9487062B2 (en) * 2012-10-19 2016-11-08 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. Oil filled heater core
US20140355967A1 (en) * 2013-05-29 2014-12-04 Hak Kee Chu Convection Wall Heater with Power Cord Plug
CN203586381U (en) * 2013-12-04 2014-05-07 宁波西摩电器有限公司 Warmer and foot plate assembly thereof
DE102014224023A1 (en) * 2014-11-25 2016-05-25 Robert Bosch Gmbh heat exchanger system
ES2580577B1 (en) * 2015-01-24 2017-06-22 Chrystel CAREL Console fan coil for home ventilation
JP1562976S (en) * 2015-06-05 2016-11-14
US11098923B2 (en) * 2016-03-31 2021-08-24 Gd Midea Environment Appliances Mfg Co., Ltd. Electric radiator
USD881363S1 (en) * 2017-11-08 2020-04-14 Midea Group Co., Ltd. Oil filled heater
USD874624S1 (en) * 2018-01-26 2020-02-04 Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd. Electric heater
US11137147B2 (en) * 2018-03-26 2021-10-05 Ray King Variably heatable radiator
USD903074S1 (en) * 2019-01-28 2020-11-24 Midea Group Co., Ltd. Electric radiator heater

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4493974A (en) * 1983-01-12 1985-01-15 Ciracco Metal Fabricating Co., Inc. Snap-fit sheet metal cover for portable oil-filled radiators and method of manufacture
IT1218602B (en) * 1987-04-16 1990-04-19 De Longhi Spa AUTONOMOUS RADIATOR, IN PARTICULAR WITH CONVECTIVE RADIANT UNIT IN CORRELATION WITH FORCED FLOW ANALOG
USD354557S (en) * 1994-01-05 1995-01-17 Patton Electric Company, Inc. Electric radiator heater
US5966498A (en) * 1996-08-07 1999-10-12 Lakewood Engineering And Manufacturing Company End closure assembly for oil-filled heater

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20020076213A1 (en) 2002-06-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2364481A1 (en) Portable heater
EP1178559B1 (en) Battery cooling system
US5437001A (en) Upright radiant electric heating appliance
EP1586821B1 (en) Cooling apparatus of cooking appliance
US4110600A (en) Thermostatically controlled plural heat output portable electric space heater
EP1586820A1 (en) Cooling apparatus of cooking appliance
CA2514501A1 (en) Airflow system for a convection oven
KR20060114593A (en) Cup holder having heating and cooling function and seat having same
US4680448A (en) Infrared space heater
EP0292441B1 (en) Mobile apparatus for heating rooms
KR100727875B1 (en) Oven range
EP1680995A1 (en) Cooking apparatus
CN111486510A (en) Air conditioner indoor unit and air conditioner
US5838878A (en) Portable quartz heater
JP2006010156A (en) Radiation heater
CN212618695U (en) Air conditioner indoor unit and air conditioner
JP5674717B2 (en) Cooker
JP2002031353A (en) Heating cooking device
US20040222309A1 (en) Portable radiator top air circulator
BE1015433A3 (en) Heater comprising heat exchanger and fan, has control device designed to switch on fan once fluid entering heat exchanger is warm enough
EP2126475B1 (en) A cooking appliance
JP4464711B2 (en) Thermal storage heating system
EP0745814A2 (en) Adjustable electric heater
KR100499498B1 (en) electric oven range
CN215062567U (en) Fan with cooling device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
FZDE Discontinued