Radiant energy heating system with power exhaust and excess air inlet

#This invention relates to improvements in radiant energy heating systems of the type comprising a burner and an elongated emitting tube with reflective shield usually disposed overhead in the area to be heated and extending from the burner to a power driven exhaust facility.

#Tube-fired radiant energy heater systems are frequently used in industrial and commercial buildings which are difficult to heat. In such applications, radiant energy heating systems are regarded as superior to forced air systems from the standpoints of economy and comfort, in minimizing the stratification of heat from top to bottom in a building, and in fuel savings. An example of a tube-fired radiant energy heating system is disclosed in the patent to Arthur C. W. Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,399,833.

#Another example of a tube-fired radiant energy heater system is disclosed in the patent to Cox. U.S. Pat. No. 3,786,799. The burner of the Cox heater system comprises a cylindrical combustion chamber having an igniter assembly disposed adjacent one end. The Cox burner includes a check valve assembly for minimizing pulsations in combustion chamber and emitter tube pressure by opening and closing in sympathy with burner pressure pulses. The valve acts as a breather to relieve noise producing shock waves.

#FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tube-fired radiant energy heating system of the type with which the invention may be employed;

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a burner unit constructed in accordance with the invention;

#FIG. 3 is a sectional view through a length of a heater tube showing the orientation of the reflector apparatus in relation thereto;

#FIG. 1 illustrates in plan view a radiant energy heating system 10 of the tube-fired type disposed overhead in a building 12 which defines the area to be heated. Heating system 10 comprises a burner unit 14 which may be oil-fired, gas-fired, or adapted for combinations thereof. The unit 14 is typically in the 70,000 to 400,000 BTU range. Burner unit 14 comprises a motor-driven pump assembly 16 for mixing fuel with primary combustion air and an igniter so as to produce a chemically correct or Stoichiometric fuel/air mixture for combustion within a cylindrical combustion chamber defined by housing 18. The combustion chamber within the housing 18 is connected to an aluminized steel emitter tube 20 which extends overhead throughout the building 12 to an exhaust fan 22 which communicates to the outside and is driven by a motor 24. The system 10 is provided with thermostatic or air-flow sensing controls so as to turn on the fan motor 24 and the burner 14 at the same time. A reflector 26 is disposed adjacent the heater tube 20 and held at the selected angle by means of a hanger 28 to direct the heat radiated from the tube. Although not specifically described herein, it will be understood that the burner control may comprise pre-purge timers for gas/fuel applications and post-purge timers for oil applications. In all cases, the thermostatic control powers the exhaust and burner circuits and when the exhaust is up to speed an air flow switch 31 closes to start ignition.

#Looking now to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 through 7, the details of the burner unit 14 will be described.

#Burner unit 14 comprises a cylindrical metal combustion chamber housing 18 having the fuel/air mixer and igniter assembly 16 mounted on the left end as shown in FIG. 2 with the nozzle and igniter unit 30 protruding coaxially into the housing 18 as shown. Assembly 16 may take the form of any of a variety of commercially available burner units adapted for oil or gas fuel. A satisfactory oil unit is available from the Wayne Home Equipment Co., Inc. of Fort Wayne, Ind. and is an underwriter approved direct spark ignition burner in the 70,000 to 4000,000 BTU range, Wayne Model EHAGO and EHGO.