The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 29, 2002
Filed:
Aug. 11, 2000
Franklin T. Schmidt, Mulvane, KS (US);
Randall L. May, Andover, KS (US);
David H. Linnebur, Derby, KS (US);
Vernon M. Svitak, Jr., Scottsdale, AZ (US);
The Coleman Company, Inc., Wichita, KS (US);
Abstract
A portable heater assembly includes a fan module, an electrical ignition assembly, a heating apparatus, and an encasement. The encasement supports and houses the fan module, the electrical ignition assembly, and the heating apparatus. The fan module includes a fan, an electric switch, and electrical wiring, the electrical wiring interconnecting the fan, electric switch and a power source. The electric switch activates the fan by forming a closed electrical circuit within the electrical wiring between the power source and the fan. The electrical ignition assembly includes an electrical ignition device, a spark-emitting electrode tip protruding from the electrical ignition device, and an ignition activator connected to the electrical ignition device by an activator connector. The heating apparatus includes a combustion chamber having a catalyst-containing substrate in proximity to the spark-emitting electrode tip, an air-fuel mixer connected to the combustion chamber, and regulator valve assembly connecting the air-fuel mixer to a source of fuel. The air-fuel mixer provides a uniform mixture of fuel and primary air that is ignited by the spark-emitting electrode tip for combustion in the combustion chamber. The use of primary air improves efficiency and reduces the reliance on secondary air. Limiting the proportion of primary air to approximately 15-20% of the stoichiometric mass of air required substantially reduces the emission of hazardous combustion by-products such as carbon monoxide.