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AssigneeVacca, Inc.
InventorsRobert G. Hockaday, Patrick S. Turner, Zachary R. Bradford, Marc D. DeJohn, Carlos J. Navas, Heathcliff L. Vaz
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This invention discloses a portable catalytic combustion heater. Fuel vapor and air are supplied to a catalyst which promotes the flameless combustion of the fuel, releasing heat. The fuel is supplied as a liquid, passes through a selectively permeable membrane such that fuel vapor exits the membrane and is fed to the catalyst. Additional features such as porous supports and means of enhancing and diminishing the catalytic rate of combustion and controlling the heat output are also shown. This invention can be used to heat apparel, blankets, food, dwellings, containers, machinery, insect attractants, humidifiers, and perfume generators.
A heat-generating device comprising a fuel source, a fuel delivery connected to the fuel source, a catalyst dispersed over a porous substrate, the catalyst being in diffusive contact with an oxidizing gas, and a molecular selectively permeable membrane for selective molecular delivery of fuel by diffusion to the catalyst, wherein the fuel diffuses to the catalyst through the molecular selectively permeable membrane and the oxidizing gas diffuses to the catalyst through a different membrane or mechanical mechanism, further comprising an upper temperature limit setting on a thermal output caused by boiling the fuel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.