GB2619310A

GB2619310A - Portable tent heater

Info

Publication number: GB2619310A
Application number: GB2208014.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ferger Benjamin
Original assignee: New Direction Tackle Ltd
Current assignee: New Direction Tackle Ltd
Priority date: 2022-05-31
Filing date: 2022-05-31
Publication date: 2023-12-06
Also published as: GB202208014D0

Abstract

A tent heating system comprises a portable combustion heater 20. The heater includes an air inlet pipe 44 to draw air into the heater, and an air outlet pipe 46 to feed heated air from the heater. The heater is for heating an interior of a tent 10 from outside of the tent. Ideally, air to be heated is drawn from the tent via the air inlet pipe by a fan 42 into a heating circuit 40 in a heat exchange relationship with a combustion chamber 30 of the heater. Fuel delivered from a fuel supply 34 by a connector 32 may be burned in the chamber to heat the air, which is supplied to the interior of the tent by the air outlet pipe. A controller 50 may remotely control the heater, turning the heater on and off based upon a sensed air temperature within the tent. Fan speed may also be controlled. Actuators 52 may be manipulated by a user inside the tent to set a target temperature. Placing the portable combustion heater outside the tent protects the user from carbon monoxide poisoning and other hazardous combustion products emitted by the heater.

Description

PORTABLE TENT HEATER

The present invention relates to a heating system, in particular a heating system comprising a portable heater for heating a tent.

Many anglers do not just fish during the day or in pleasant weather conditions.

Often, anglers fish at night, in adverse or cold weather conditions, or for periods ranging from a few days to a week or even longer. For such anglers a tent, often referred to as a bivvy in the field of angling, is an important piece of equipment for helping to stay warm and dry while fishing.

To heat their tents, anglers typically use conventional tent heaters. Such conventional tent heaters are placed inside a tent so that they are able to heat the air within the tent. However, placement of a conventional tent heater within a tent is risky. For example, if the tent heater is defective, left unattended, or adverse weather leads to tipping of the tent, the tent heater can cause a fire to break out.

Additionally, conventional tent heaters are generally combustion heaters, i.e. heaters that generate heat through combustion of a fuel. Placement of a combustion heater in a tent means that combustion takes place within the tent and any hazardous by-products of combustion, such as carbon monoxide, are produced within the tent. The production of hazardous by-products can negatively impact on the health of the user of the heater and even, in some cases, lead to death.

Conventional tent heaters that generate heat though combustion can only be safely operated inside a tent if the tent is sufficiently ventilated. Increased ventilation leads to an increased loss of heat from the tent. Therefore, more fuel is required to maintain the interior of the tent at an agreeable temperature.

Furthermore, for safety, conventional tent heaters that generate heat through combustion should be used in combination with oxygen deficiency monitors and/or carbon monoxide detectors. Accordingly, users of conventional tent heaters that generate heat through combustion must carry additional equipment for use in combination with the tent heater.

The present invention encompasses a heating system which aims to overcome the disadvantages of conventional tent heaters. In particular, the heating system of the present invention comprises a portable combustion heater that is configured to heat the interior of a tent without being placed inside the tent. Therefore, the chance of a fire breaking out within a tent heated by the heating system according to the present invention is greatly reduced.

When using the heating system according to the present invention to heat a tent, combustion does not take place within the tent. Therefore, it is possible to avoid both hazardous by-products of combustion being released into the tent and the oxygen level in the tent being depleted.

According to the present invention there is provided a heating system comprising a portable combustion heater for heating an interior of a tent from outside of said tent, wherein the portable combustion heater comprises: an air inlet pipe through which air is drawn into the portable combustion heater when the portable combustion heater is in operation; and an air outlet pipe through which heated air is fed out of the portable combustion heater when the portable heater is in operation.

Preferably both the air inlet pipe and the air outlet pipe take the form of a hose.

Advantageously the portable combustion heater comprises a combustion chamber separated from a heating circuit, wherein the combustion chamber comprises: an air intake opening configured to allow air to enter the combustion chamber from the surroundings of the portable combustion heater; and an exhaust gas outlet through which exhaust gases can exit the portable combustion heater, and wherein the heating circuit comprises: the air inlet pipe and the air outlet pipe; and a surface heated by the combustion chamber.

Conveniently the portable combustion heater comprises a fan for conveying air drawn into the portable combustion heater via the air inlet pipe through the portable combustion heater and out of the portable combustion heater through the air outlet pipe.

Preferably the heating system further comprises a controller unit for remotely controlling the portable combustion heater.

Conveniently the heating system further comprises a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature inside a tent, wherein the temperature sensor is: integral to the controller unit; or configured for communication with the controller unit.

Advantageously the controller unit is configured to automatically regulate switching on and switching off the portable combustion heater based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor.

Preferably the controller unit comprises at least one actuator manipulable by a user to set one or more parameters of the heating system.

Conveniently the at least one actuator is manipulable by a user to set a target temperature to be achieved by the heating system and optionally a hysteresis.

Advantageously, in use, the portable combustion heater is positioned outside of said tent.

Preferably, in use, the air inlet pipe and the air outlet pipe are positioned in the interior of the tent.

The present invention further provides a kit comprising a tent and a heating system according to the invention.

The invention also provides a method of heating an interior of a tent from outside of said tent, wherein the method comprises: providing a portable combustion heater positioned outside the tent; drawing air into the portable combustion heater through an air inlet pipe positioned inside the tent; and feeding heated air out of the portable combustion heater through an air outlet pipe positioned inside the tent.

While the foregoing and subsequent description may refer to "anglers" and "angling", it can be appreciated that the heating system according to the present invention may be used in connection with any tent and not simply a tent used by an angler.

The invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawing, in which: FIGURE 1 depicts a heating system according to the present invention in use.

Figure 1 depicts generally a heating system according to the present invention in use.

As depicted, the heating system comprises a portable combustion heater 20 for heating the interior of a tent 10. The portable heater 20 is configured to heat the interior of a tent 10 without being placed inside the tent 10. In particular, the portable heater 20 comprises an air inlet pipe 44 and an air outlet pipe 46. The free end of the air inlet pipe 44 and the free end of the air outlet pipe 46 may be placed inside a tent 10, for example via a door or other opening in the tent 10. When the portable heater 20 is in use, air from the interior of a tent 10 is drawn into the portable heater 20 through the air inlet pipe 44, heated, and fed back into the tent 10 through the air outlet pipe 46.

In preferred arrangements of the heating system, each of the air inlet pipe 44 and the air outlet pipe 46 may take the form of a hose, i.e. both the air inlet pipe 44 and the air outlet pipe 46 may be flexible. The free end of the air inlet pipe 44 and the free end of the air outlet pipe 46 may be fed more easily into a tent 10, when the air inlet pipe 44 and the air outlet pipe 46 both take the form of a hose.

The air inlet pipe 44 and air outlet pipe 46 may be integral to (i.e. not detachable from) the portable heater 20. In preferred arrangements of the heating system, the air inlet pipe 44 and the air outlet pipe 46 are detachable from the portable heater 20. Detachable air inlet and air outlet pipes 44 and 46 increases the ease of storage of the heating system.

Preferably, the portable heater 20 comprises a fan 42 for conveying air drawn into the portable heater 20 from a tent 10, via air inlet pipe 44, through the portable heater 20 and back into the tent 10 through air outlet pipe 46.

The portable heater 20 necessarily comprises a connector 32 for connecting a fuel supply 34, e.g. a gas supply, to the portable heater 20. When the portable heater 20 is in use, fuel for combustion is provided to the portable heater 20 from a fuel supply 34 connected to the portable heater 20 via the connector 32. It is envisaged that the heating system of the present invention may be sold in combination with a fuel supply 34.

As depicted in figure 1, an additional advantage of present heating system over conventional combustion tent heaters is that the fuel supply 34 for the heating system is kept outside the tent. This reduces the risk of a fire within the tent and also prevents the inside of the tent from smelling like fuel.

The connector 32 for connecting a fuel supply may, as depicted in figure 1, take the form of a pipe integral to the portable heater 20. In other arrangements of the invention, the connector 32 may take the form of a connection point. A fuel supply 34 may be connected to the connection point via a pipe.

When the portable heater 20 is switched on, an electric spark is produced within the portable heater 20. The spark ignites the fuel entering the portable heater 20 from a fuel supply 34 though connector 32, thereby initiating combustion.

In preferred arrangements of the heating system, the connector 32 for connecting a fuel supply is moveable between an open state and a closed state. When the connector 32 is in the open state, fuel may enter the portable heater 20 from a fuel supply 34. When the connector 32 is in the closed state, fuel from a fuel supply 34 may no longer enter the portable heater through connector 32. When the portable heater 20 is in use, the connector 32 is moved from the closed state to the open state such that fuel for combustion can enter the portable heater 20. When the portable heater 20 is not in use, the connector 32 is moved from the open state to the closed state such that fuel is prevented from entering the portable heater 20, thereby terminating combustion within the portable heater 20.

In preferred arrangements of the heating system, the portable heater 20 comprises a combustion chamber 30, in which combustion takes place, separated from a heating circuit 40, in which air drawn into the portable heater 20 from a tent 10 is heated. In such arrangements of the heating system, the combustion chamber 30 comprises an air intake opening 36 configured to allow air to enter the combustion chamber 30 from the surroundings of the portable heater 20, i.e. outside the tent, thereby providing a supply of oxygen required for combustion to the combustion chamber 30.

The combustion chamber 30 additionally comprises: an exhaust gas outlet 38 through which the products and by-products of combustion, i.e. exhaust gases, can exit the portable heater 20; and the connector 32 for a connecting a fuel supply.

The heating circuit 40 comprises the air inlet pipe 44, the air outlet pipe 46, and, when present, the fan 42. When present, the fan 42 conveys air drawn into the portable heater 20 from a tent 10, via air inlet pipe 44, through the heating circuit 40 and back into the tent 10 through air outlet pipe 46.

When the portable heater 20 is in use, air is drawn from a tent 10 into the heating circuit 40 through the air inlet pipe 44. The air that is drawn into the heating circuit 40 passes over a surface of the heating circuit 40 heated by the combustion chamber 30 and is heated. The heated air is then fed back into the tent 10 from the heating circuit 40 through the air outlet pipe 46.

Arrangements of the invention wherein the portable heater 20 comprises a combustion chamber 30 separated from a heating circuit 40 are advantageous for a number of reasons. Oxygen in the air drawn into the portable heater 20 from inside a tent 10 is not involved in combustion. The oxygen required for combustion is provided by the air that enters the combustion chamber 30 of the portable heater 20 from the surroundings of the portable heater 20 through the air intake opening 36. Accordingly, the portable heater 20 does not cause air within the tent 10 to be depleted of oxygen when the portable heater 20 is in use.

Furthermore, the products and by-products of combustion exit the portable heater 20 through the exhaust gas outlet 38. Therefore, any hazardous byproducts of combustion are not fed back into a tent 10 through air outlet pipe 46. Accordingly, the heating system of the present invention is safer to use than conventional tent heaters that generate heat through combustion.

Additionally, a portable heater 20 comprising a combustion chamber 30 separated from a heating circuit 40 as described above, need not be used in combination with an oxygen deficiency monitor and/or a carbon monoxide detector, because the portable heater 20 does not cause depletion of oxygen levels within a tent 10 or release hazardous by-products of combustion, such as carbon monoxide, into the tent 10.

In especially preferred arrangements of the invention, the heating system further comprises an exhaust pipe configured for attachment to the exhaust gas outlet 38 of the portable heater 20. The exhaust pipe may be configured such that attachment of the exhaust pipe to the exhaust gas outlet 38 allows the exhaust gases to be diverted in a direction away from a tent 10 when the portable heater 20 is in use. Such an exhaust pipe further reduces the chance of any hazardous by-products of combustion entering the tent 10.

In preferred arrangements of the heating system, the portable heater 20 is battery powered. It can be appreciated that a battery powered portable heater 20 is advantageous, because it can be used anywhere without needing to be plugged into the mains.

The heating system of the present invention may additionally comprise a controller unit 50 for remotely controlling the portable heater 20, e.g. for controlling the portable heater 20 from inside a tent 10.

In preferred arrangements of the invention, the controller unit 50 and the portable heater 20 are configured to communicate wirelessly, e.g. the portable heater 20 and controller unit 50 may be configured for radio communication. The controller unit 50 and portable heater 20 may alternatively or additionally be configured for communication via an electrical cable. In arrangements of the invention wherein the portable heater 20 and the controller unit 50 are configured for communication via and electrical cable, the heating system preferably additionally comprises an electrical cable for connecting the portable heater 20 and the controller unit 50.

The controller unit 50 may comprise at least one actuator 52 manipulable by a user. The at least one actuator 52 may be manipulable by a user to switch on and to switch off the portable heater 20. Where the portable heater 20 comprises a fan 42, the at least one actuator 52 may additionally or alternatively be manipulable by a user to set a speed of the fan 42.

In preferred arrangements of the invention, the heating system further comprises a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature inside a tent 10. The temperature sensor may be integral to the controller unit 50. Alternatively, the temperature sensor may be separate from the controller unit 50 and configured for communication with the controller unit 50. For example: the controller unit 50 and the temperature sensor may be configured to communicate wirelessly, e.g. the controller unit 50 and the temperature sensor may be configured for radio communication; and/or the controller unit 50 and the temperature sensor may be configured for communication via an electrical cable. In arrangements of the invention wherein the temperature sensor and controller unit 50 are configured for communication via and electrical cable, the heating system preferably additionally comprises an electrical cable for connecting the temperature sensor and the controller unit 50.

In arrangements of the heating system wherein the temperature sensor is separate from the controller unit 50, the temperature sensor can be used to monitor the temperature inside a tent 10 at a different location to the controller unit 50.

The controller unit 50 may comprise a display unit 54 for displaying the 10 temperature sensed by the temperature sensor. The user of the heating system may use the displayed temperature to decide when to switch on or switch off the portable heater 20.

In preferred arrangements of the heating system, the controller unit 50 is configured to automatically regulate switching on and switching off the portable heater 20 based on the temperature data provided by the temperature sensor, i.e. the controller unit 50 is configured to switch on and switch off the portable heater 20 without manual input from the user.

In arrangements of the heating system wherein the controller unit 50 is configured to automatically regulate switching on and switching off the portable heater, the controller unit 50 may comprise the at least one actuator 52, the at least one actuator 52 being manipulable by the user to set one or more parameters of the heating system. For example, the at least one actuator 52 may be manipulable by the user to set a target temperature to be achieved by the heating system, i.e. the desired temperature of the inside of the tent 10. The at least one actuator 52 may be manipulable by the user to set a specific target temperature, e.g. 25 °C, or to set the target temperature to be a specific range of temperatures, e.g. 23-25 °C. Alternatively, the at least one actuator 52 may be manipulable by the user to set the target temperature to "warm", "very warm", etc. In some arrangements of the invention, the at least one actuator may comprise a dial, wherein the dial is manipulable by the user to set the target temperature.

When the heating system is in use, the temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the inside of the tent. The controller unit 50 is configured to switch on and switch off the portable heater 20 as often as necessary to maintain the temperature of the inside of the tent, sensed by the temperature sensor, at the target temperature.

In especially preferred arrangements of the heating system, the at least one actuator 52 of the controller unit 50 may be manipulable by the user to set a hysteresis, e.g. 5 °C, for the heating system as well as a target temperature. Where the hysteresis is set at 5 °C, the controller unit 50 will switch on the portable heater 20 if the temperature inside the tent 10 is sensed by the temperature sensor to be 5 °C or more below the target temperature. The controller unit 50 will switch off the portable heater 20 as soon as the temperature inside the tent 10 is sensed by the temperature sensor to be 5 °C above the target temperature.

Setting a hysteresis for the heating system increases energy efficiency by reducing the frequency with which the portable heater 20 is switched on and switched off by the controller unit 50 when being used to heat a tent 10.

When the controller unit 50 is operable to switch on and switch off the portable heater 20 this may be by way of a valve of the portable heater 20 being opened (to switch on) or closed (to switch off) where the valve either allows or prevents flow of fuel to the combustion chamber. Likewise the valve is operable to allow either increased or decreased fuel flow to increase or decrease temperature, respectively, responsive to input from the controller unit 50.

In preferred arrangements of the invention, the controller unit 50 is battery powered.

In preferred arrangements of the heating system, the portable heater 20 comprises at least one handle. The at least one handle may be used to carry the portable heater 20.

In especially preferred arrangements of the heating system, the portable heater 20 comprises at least one storage compartment for storing other components of the heating system, and/or fishing equipment/accessories and/or camping equipment/accessories. "Other components of the heating system" may include an exhaust pipe, a controller unit 50, and/or detachable air inlet and air outlet pipes 44 and 46.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

Claims 1. A heating system comprising a portable combustion heater for heating an interior of a tent from outside of said tent, wherein the portable combustion heater comprises: an air inlet pipe through which air is drawn into the portable combustion heater when the portable combustion heater is in operation; and an air outlet pipe through which heated air is fed out of the portable combustion heater when the portable heater is in operation.
2. The heating system of claim 1, wherein both the air inlet pipe and the air outlet pipe take the form of a hose.
3. The heating system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the portable combustion heater comprises a combustion chamber separated from a heating circuit, wherein the combustion chamber comprises: an air intake opening configured to allow air to enter the combustion chamber from the surroundings of the portable combustion heater; and an exhaust gas outlet through which exhaust gases can exit the portable combustion heater, and wherein the heating circuit comprises: the air inlet pipe and the air outlet pipe; and a surface heated by the combustion chamber.
4. The heating system of any preceding claim, wherein the portable combustion heater comprises a fan for conveying air drawn into the portable combustion heater via the air inlet pipe through the portable combustion heater and out of the portable combustion heater through the air outlet pipe.
5. The heating system of any preceding claim, further comprising a controller unit for remotely controlling the portable combustion heater.
The heating system of claim 5, further comprising a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature inside a tent, wherein the temperature sensor is: integral to the controller unit; or configured for communication with the controller unit
7. The heating system of claim 6, wherein the controller unit is configured to automatically regulate switching on and switching off the portable combustion heater based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor.
8. The heating system of claim 7, wherein the controller unit comprises at least one actuator manipulable by a user to set one or more parameters of the heating system.
9. The heating system of claim 8, wherein the at least one actuator is manipulable by a user to set a target temperature to be achieved by the heating system and optionally a hysteresis.
10.The heating system of any preceding claim wherein, in use, the portable combustion heater is positioned outside of said tent.
11. The heating system of claim 10 wherein, in use, the air inlet pipe and the air outlet pipe are positioned in the interior of the tent.
12.A kit comprising a tent and a heating system according to any preceding claim.
13. A method of heating an interior of a tent from outside of said tent, wherein the method comprises: providing a portable combustion heater positioned outside the tent; drawing air into the portable combustion heater through an air inlet pipe positioned inside the tent; and feeding heated air out of the portable combustion heater through an air outlet pipe positioned inside the tent.