US3101193A - Portable heater - Google Patents

Description

' H. E. VARVEL PORTABLE HEATER Aug. 20, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 5, 1961 YIINVENTOR.

mmow 3 V m a Pm WU flTTOR/VEY Aug. 20, 1963 H. E. VARVEL. 1, PORTABLE HEATER Filed May 5, 1961 I 2 Sheets-$heet 2 United States Patent Vibrator Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed May 5, 1961, Ser. No. 103,060 Claims. (Cl. 263-19) This invention relates to a system and apparatus particularly applicable to provide improvements in portable space heaters.

It has proven difficult to produce a portable heater which is economical to fabricate, safe and efficient in operation. Conventional units generally require complex and expensive controls, particularly as related to their fuel supply systems. The present invention eliminates the need for such controls, thereby simplifying heater construction. In addition, it introduces a system and apparatus which insures a relatively large heat output free of carbon monoxide. The heater units are thereby rendered more safe and efficient in operation.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a space heater of a portable nature which is economical to fabricate, more efficient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications and unlikely to malfunction.

Another object of the invention is to simplify the construction of space heaters, particularly those of a portable nature.

A further object of the invention is to provide a portable heater unit incorporating means insuring a simple effective delivery of fuel to its combustion chamber in a manner to provide it with optimumcombustion characteristics.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a portable space heater including means which delivers fuel to its combustion chamber entrained in an excess of pressured air in a manner to provide for safe and complete combustion thereof.

An object of the invention is to provide a heater construction wherein the need for complex and sensitive controls is eliminated. I

A further object of the invention is to provide a portable heater possessing the advantageous structural fear tin-es, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the mode of operation herein mentioned.

.With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters iatent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereshown one but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a portable space heater in accordance with the invention, shown partly in section for clarity of detail;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the unit shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic detail view of the fuel supply nozzle employed in the apparatus of FIG. 1.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

The invention can be best described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment illustrated is supported in and by a pair of vertically oriented frames 1 which are generally A-shaped. The frames are longitudinally spaced and inclined towards each other to their upper extremities.

Each frame is formed of a continuous length of tubing to provide upwardly convergent legs 2 bridged to their upper extremities by a horizontally disposed portion 3. Each of the frames is braced by a bar 4 fixed adjacent to and spaced from the lower extremities of'the legs 2 in a position generally parallel to its frame portion 3.

1A fuel tank 5 extends between and projects through the frames 1 to seat on and be anchored to the bars 4. As may be seen from FIG. 2 of the drawings, the peripheral configuration of the tank 5, in a transverse sense, is such that itsbase seats flush with and extends substantially the length of the bars 4 and its sides are upwardly convergent and immediately confined by adjacent portions of the legs 2 which they abut. Thus, the tank 5 is securely confined by the frames 1 and forms a brace therebetween.

The shell defining the tank 5 is axially extended to one end to provide a cavity 6. The cavity 6 accommodates a vertically oriented bracket plate 7 which serves to mount an ignition transformer 8 therein. A cover 9 which caps the cavity 6 is louvered to insure proper ventilation of the transformer 8.

Pairs of transversely aligned brackets 11 are rectangularly positioned on and fixed to the upper surface of the tank 5 between the frames 1. The respective. pairs of transversely aligned brackets include vertical plate portions which are generally parallel. Fixed to each of the vertical plate portions is an identical stud 12 having an enlarged head portion disposed outwardly thereof with reference to the tank 5. V

A cylindrical shell 13 is positioned in superposed relation to the tank 5. Shell 13 includes rectangularly oriented vertically dependent plates 14 centrally notched at their dependent extremities. The plates 14 are oriented so their notches accommodate the studs 12, by means of which the cylinder 13 may be slip-fit in an assembled relation toand in a position overlying the fuel tank 5. In this overlying position the cylinder 13 extends between and projects through the frames 1 and has its lowermost portion centrally oriented between the transversely aligned brackets 11, in abutment with the upper surface of the fuel tank 5. If desired, additional connections may be provided between the frames 1 and the cylinder 13 by means of straps 15 which anchor to the frames and attach to the cylinder as indicated in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

Nested concentrically within the cylinder 13 by means of spacers 13 is a second cylinder 16. The innermost end of the cylinder 16 is positioned adjacent the center of the cylinder 13 while its outermost end projects to the discharge end of the cylinder 13. A comically. convergent extension 17 isprovided at the discharge end of the cylinder 13 for purposes to be further described.

Cylinder 16 is closed to its innermost end by a plate 18 to form a combustion chamber 19 therewith. The plate 13 has a single central aperture defined by a relatively short conically convergent tubular projection 20 which extends inwardly of the chamber '19. A conical shield 21 is positioned centrally of the opening to the end of cylinder 16 remote from plate 18 to define an annular discharge passage thereabout.

The open end of a burner housing 22 is fixed about the opening defined by the projection 20 to the face of the plate 18 remote from the combustion chamber 19. The

housing 22 is stepped to its end remote from the combus-' tion chamber and fixedly mounts a fuel delivery tube 23 concentric with its major axis. Connected to the rear- .most extremity of the tube 23, which is projected relative the housing 22 is a fuel delivery line 24. The line 24 communicates with fuel in the tank 5 through a filter tube 25.

Fixed in the burner housing 22 in concentric relation to and about the delivery end of the tube 23 is an enclosure providing an aspirating nozzle 26. The enclosure has one end fixed intermediate the extremities of the tube 23, its peripheral wall defines a cylindrical space about the tube 23 and it is convergent to its discharge end which is positioned in advance of the discharge end of the tube 23. A

single opening is provided centrally of the discharge end of nozzle 26 in axial alignment with tube 23.

A delivery line 27 connected to the cylindrical space defined by the nozzle 26 serves as a medium for delivering compressed .air to move outwardly past the discharge end of tube 23 and through the discharge opening in the nozzle 26 to draw fuel through the tube 23 in passing. The compressed air delivered through line 27 produces a suction or 'aspiratin-g effect on the discharge end of tube 23. Moreover, the compressed air not only draws fuel through the tube 23 but also atomizes it for delivery to the combustion chamber in an optimum condition.

Mounted in the end of the cylinder 13 remote from the discharge end of the combustion chamber 19 is an annular wire frame 2 8. The frame 23 includes radial members which together support a motor 29 concentrically of the cylinder 13, and in axial alignment with the burner housing 22. Motor 29 has a drive shaft 30 projected inwardly of the cylinder 13 to a position adjacent and spaced from the burner housing 2.2 Where it mounts fan blades 31. The other end of the motor drive shaft extends in the opposite direction to serve as the drive means for a rotor in a compressor unit 32 fixed integral with the outermost end of the motor 28. An air filter 33 is mounted in preceding relation to the compressor 32. Air is drawn through the filter 33 and fed to the compressor for movement under pressure through a further filter 34- having a connection to the delivery line 27. It may be seen that, on operation of the motor 2 air is drawn into compressor 32 through the filter 3-3 :and moved under pressure through the second filter 34 and the delivery line 27 to the nozzle 26. As this compressed air moves past the delivery end of the tube 23 and through the discharge opening from nozzle 26, it aspirates fuel from the tank and atomizes it as it moves it from the nozzle to the chamber 19.

As the motor drives the compressor, it simultaneously drives fan blades 30. The blades 30, draw air in through the open end of the cylinder 13 past the motor 29, and deliver it under pressure to and about chamber =19. The air moves through the passage defined between the cylinder 16 and \13 and also through apertures 36 in the rear end of the burner housing 21. The latter provide for delivery of excess air under pressure to and through housing 22 to further atomize and entrain the aspirated fuel under an enhanced pressure into chamber 19 and to its outer end centrally of which is positioned the conical deflector 21. The deflector 211 delays movement of the atomized fuel thereby to insure its complete combustion in chamber w, and also defines a discharge passage thereabout for the products of combustion.

Suitable electrical connection is provided between transformer 8 and igniter elements 38 which are oriented to project in advance of the nozzle 26. Also means are conventionally provided for suitably connecting the unit components to a source of power. In this manner a simple and highly efiicient space heater obtains.

Plugging the "heater unit to a power source causes the motor 29 to simultaneously drive the compressor 32 and the fan blades 30. This produces a simultaneous delivery of highly compressed air under a suitable pressure through nozzle 26 and additional air under pressure about the nozzle and through the burner housing 22. The latter assists in the aspiration, atomization and projection of the fuel drawn through the tube 23. The fuel, thus atomized and entrained passes to chamber 19 and is ignited in passage by means of the igniter elements 38. The air delivered through the housing 22 about nozzle 26 produces an excess thereof which more than adequately supports the combustion process in addition to providing a highly cifective pressured dispersion of the fuel the length of the chamber 19. The shield 21 contains the projected fuel sufficiently to enable the excess of air to accomplish its work and thereby prevent production of carbon monoxide. Thus, the invention insures safety in use of the heater unit provided. The convergent extension 17 on the cylinder '13 causes an acceleration of the air passing between the cylinders 16 and 13 which is not only heated in passing to a highly effective degree but also serves to draw the harmless products of combustion from the chamber 19 about shield 21.

To stop the operation of the heater unit it need merely be disconnected from its source of power. It is a feature of the invention that the complete and pressured dispersion of the fuel in delivery to the chamber 1% provides that there is a minimum of residue left as the heater ceases operation. It thus provides that there is little chance of creating dangerous fumes.

Accordingly, the invention embodiment is simple to fabricate and very ehicient and offers maximum in safety in use. The manner of providing an aspirated and pressured delivery of fuel is a significant factor in this respect.

it will be clearly appreciated that various changes may be made in the particular shapes and arrangement of parts, for example the frame members 1 may be modified without in any way departing from the present invention. Further, the fan, motor and compressor may be physically separated one from the other with either or both the fan 31 and compressor 32 being belt or gear driven by the motor 22 From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A portable space heater comprising, means defining an enclosure open at opposite ends, means defining a combustion chamber positioned Within said enclosure to provide an air passage thereabout, said chamber having limited access and discharge openings at opposite ends, a burner housing unit covering said access opening and in communication with said chamber, igniter means in said housing adjacent said access opening, a fuel tank connected with said enclosure means having a fuel delivery line connected in said burner housing unit, suction means connected in said burner housing unit operative to draw fuel thereto from said tank through said fuel delivery line and convert it to an atomized condition for discharge from said housing unit into said chamber and past said igniter means, and pressure means in said enclosure upstream of said burner housing unit and separate from said suction means accelerating the discharge of atomized and ignited fuel from said housing to said chamber.

2. A portable space heater comprising, a fuel tank, means defining a cylindrical combustion chamber having a burner housing in communication with one end thereof and limited discharge opening from its opposite end, a fuel delivery line extending from said tank into said burner housing, suction means aspirating fuel from said tank to said burner housing, including a nozzle projecting into said burner housing in surrounding relation therein to said fuel delivery line and receiving compressed air, igniter means in said burner housing at the discharge end of said nozzle, and means separate from said suction means providing a flow of compressed air through said burner housing past said nozzle and said igniter means, said separate means being in the form of a fan removed upstream from said burner housing, the air of said fan further entraining the aspirated fuel under enhanced fiow conditions into said combustion chamber and supporting combustion therein.

3. A portable space heater comprising, a fuel tank, means defining a shell on said tank open to opposite ends, said shell having an air compressor, a fan and a motor for driving said compressor and fan in one end thereof, means defining a combustion chamber mounted in the other end of said shell to provide an air passage thereabout, a housing connected to and in communication with said chamber having means therein defining a discharge nozzle, a fuel suction line connected in said discharge nozzle and to said tank, an air pressure line connected in said discharge nozzle and to said compressor, operation of said compressor by said motor being eifective to discharge air under pressure and fuel under suction through said nozzle for discharge to said chamber in an atomized form, limited openings in said housing about said nozzle, said fan being operative to drive air under pressure through said limited openings to entnain and additionally atomize the fuel discharged to-s'aid chamber and means for igniting the atomized fuel discharged from said housing.

4. A portable space heater including, a pair of spaced frame elements, a fuel tank'mounted thereon and, extending between said frame elements and contained thereby, a tubular housing open to either end releasably mounted on said tank and contained by said frame elements, means defining a combustion chamber in said housing positioned to define a passage thereabout in communication with either end of said housing, an air compressor, a fan and a motor mounted in said housing to define a free air passage the-reabout, means including said air compressor operable for delivering air under pressure and fuel under suction to said combustion chamber in an atomized condition and means including said fan for supplying additional air under pressure through said housing to said combustion chamber to entrain and further latomize the air-fuel mixture and accelerate deliveiy thereof to said-combustion chamber.

. 5. A portable space heater comprising a cylindrical shell, means for supporting said shell in a relatively ele- 6 vated position, a fuel tank in underlying relation to said shell, an inner cylinder Within said shell having an outer end near one end of said shell and an inner end terminating intermediate the ends of said shell, closure means for the inner end of said cylinder having a longitudinal through opening therein, a burner housing installed on said closure means'in closing relation to said opening therein, said housing having openings laterally offset with respect to the axis of said opening in said closure means, said housing having a back Wall in longitudinally spaced relation to said closure means, an aspirating nozzle extending into said housing through :said back wall and having an'open discharge end facing said opening in said closure means, a fuel delivery tube having one end received in said nozzle in alignment with said discharge end thereof, and another end extending into said fuel tank, air pressure generating means installed in said shell between said inner end of :said cylinder and the other end of said shell including a fan arranged to blow air toward said inner end of said cylinder to enter said housing by way of said aterally ofis-et openings therein, said shell serving as a duct for such flow, and further including an air compressor, relatively small diameter tube means extending in non-communicating relation to said shell from said compressor to said aspirating nozzle, the

air admitted to said nozzle aspirating fuel from said fuel delivery tube and the air admitted to'said housing by Way of said laterally o-lfset openings discharging the aspirated fuel through said opening in said inner end of said cylinders to the interior of said cylinder and supporting combustion therein, and means for igniting the aspirated fuel in conjunction with its discharge into said cylinder. References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,379,179 Good May24, 1-921 1,650,342 Good Nov. 22, 1927 2,518,364 Owen Aug. 8, 1950' 2,65 8,308 Fowler et a1 Nov. 10, 1953 2,866,627 Sherman Dec. 30, 1958 2,869,626 Sherman Jan. 20, 1959

Claims (1)

1. A PORTABLE SPACE HEATER COMPRISING, MEANS DEFINING AN ENCLOSURE OPEN AT OPPOSITE ENDS, MEANS DEFINING A COMBUSTION CHAMBER POSITIONED WITHIN SAID ENCLOSURE TO PROVIDE AN AIR PASSAGE THEREABOUT, SAID CHAMBER HAVING LIMITED ACCESS AND DISCHARGE OPENINGS AT OPPOSITE ENDS A BURNER HOUSING UNIT COVERING SAID ACCESS OPENING AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID CHAMBER, IGNITER MEANS IN SAID HOUSING ADJACENT SAID ACCESS OPENING, A FUEL TANK CONNECTED WITH SAID ENCLOSURE MEANS HAVING A FUEL DELIVERY LINE CONNECTED IN SAID BURNER HOUSING UNIT, SUCTION MEANS CONNECTED IN SAID BURNER HOUSING UNIT OPERATIVE TO DRAW FUEL THERETO FROM SAID TANK THROUGH SAID FUEL DELIVERY LINE AND CONVERT IT TO AN ATOMIZED CONDITION FOR DISCHARGE FROM SAID HOUSING UNIT INTO SAID CHAMBER AND PAST SAID IGNITER MEANS, AND PRESSURE MEANS IN SAID ENCLOSURE UPSTREAM OF SAID BURNER HOUSING UNIT AND SEPARATE FROM SAID SUCTION MEANS ACCELERATING THE DISCHARGE OF ATOMIZED AND IGNITED FUEL FROM SAID HOUSING TO SAID CHAMBER.

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