Abstract: A radiant heating system for a greenhouse utilizing radiator tubing formed from substantially gas impermeable plastic material. The system includes a radiator tube disposed overhead and formed from light transmitting material so that sunlight projecting into the greenhouse will be substantially transmitted to the plants grown thereunder and a second radiator tube disposed proximate the greenhouse floor and formed of similar plastic material. The radiated tubes are interconnected at one of their ends and a burner communicates through a manifold connected to the other ends of the radiator tubes to transmit a heated effluent through the tubes. Valve means and exhaust means are associated with the manifold.

Abstract: A radiant heating system for a greenhouse utilizing radiator tubing formed from substantially gas impermeable plastic material. The system includes a radiator tube disposed overhead and formed from light transmitting material so that sunlight projecting into the greenhouse will be substantially transmitted to the plants grown thereunder and a second radiator tube disposed proximate the greenhouse floor and formed of similar plastic material. The radiated tubes are interconnected at one of their ends and a burner communicates through a manifold connected to the other ends of the radiator tubes to transmit a heated effluent through the tubes. Valve means and exhaust means are associated with the manifold.

Abstract: A hanger for use in a low intensity radiant energy heating system. The hanger is used both for supporting the emitter tube/reflector assembly and as an air dam to prevent convection currents from flowing along the emitter tube due to temperature changes.

Abstract: An indirect-fired, infrared drying oven for articles of manufacture which have been through a coating process. Tubular radiators are mounted within the enclosure to produce infrared radiation which impinges upon the coated articles. The tubular radiator operates at a sub-ambient interior pressure and is vented near the burner to directly inspirate fumes from the interior of the oven as they are given off by the drying articles. Temperatures in the radiator are sufficient to incinerate the fumes as they travel along the length of the tubular radiator. A heat exchanger is utilized near the exhaust end of the radiator to recover waste heat and return this heat to the oven enclosure, thus balancing air flow within the enclosure and maintaining a neutral pressure condition.

Abstract: An energy efficient system for controlling the environment in a greenhouse. The system includes an infrared heater, having a burner, a heat disbursement means and an exhaust means, and a layer of reflective and insulative material selectively deployable below the roof and inside the walls of the greenhouse to retain heat within the greenhouse, to prevent excess heat from the sun from entering the greenhouse and to reflect light into the greenhouse from the sun. The system also includes an air-to-water heat exchanger, connected at the exhaust end of the heater, that transfers heat from the heater's exhaust to water used in the greenhouse. The heated water is stored in an underground tank. A series of connected pipes, in communication with the tank, are set into the floor of the greenhouse to circulate the water through the floor to remove excess heat from the water.

Abstract: An energy efficient system for controlling the environment in a greenhouse. The system includes an infrared heater, having a burner, a heat disbursement means and an exhaust means, and a layer of reflective and insulative material selectively deployable below the roof and inside the walls of the greenhouse to retain heat within the greenhouse, to prevent excess heat from the sun from entering the greenhouse and to reflect light into the greenhouse from the sun. The system also includes an air-to-water heat exchanger, connected at the exhaust end of the heater, that transfers heat from the heater's exhaust to water used in the greenhouse. The heated water is stored in an underground tank. A series of connected pipes, in communication with the tank, are set into the floor of the greenhouse to circulate the water through the floor to remove excess heat from the water.

Abstract: A gas or a fired radiant energy heating system wherein a burner is connected to a long radiator tube. Means are provided for balancing the heat output over the length of the tube thereby lowering the temperature at the burner end. In one embodiment, this entails use of a length of insulator in the tube adjacent the burner and a length of turbulator near the exhaust.

Abstract: An improved high performance ventilation system for application with relatively small temperature-controlled structures for recovering a high percentage of sensible and latent thermal energy from the exhausted air for return via the fresh air stream. Two matrices of thermally absorbent, expanded honeycomb material are alternately interconnected with fan driven supply and exhaust paths via a valve device to store energy in one matrix while retrieving it from the other. The matrices, valve and fans are contained within a single compact highly portable housing which can be installed on the floor, beneath the ceiling and on the roof of the intended structure. Constant air flow direction is maintained in the ventilated area. The valve may be thermostat controlled. The housing is manufactured with a modular design allowing final on-site assembly in a number of varying configurations.

Abstract: An improved high performance ventilation system for application with relatively small temperature-controlled structures for recovering a high percentage of sensible and latent thermal energy from the exhausted air for return via the fresh air stream. Two matrices of thermally absorbent, expanded honeycomb material are alternately interconnected with fan driven supply and exhaust paths via a valve device to store energy in one matrix while retrieving it from the other. The matrices, valve and fans are contained within a single compact highly portable housing which can be installed on the floor, beneath the ceiling and on the roof of the intended structure. Constant air flow direction is maintained in the ventilated area. The valve may be thermostat controlled. The housing is manufactured with a modular design allowing final on-site assembly in a number of varying configurations.

Abstract: A high performance ventilation system with means for recovering a high percentage of sensible and latent thermal energy from the exhausted air for return via the supply air. Two matrices of thermally absorbent, expanded honeycomb material are respectively alternately interconnected with fan-driven supply and exhaust paths via a valve device to store energy in one matrix while retrieving energy from the other. Constant air flow direction is maintained in the ventilated area. The valve may be thermostat controlled. The matrices are preferably formed of a fibrous organic material such as paper, in an expandable honeycomb configuration, and resin impregnated for durability and strength. A degree of residual flexibility is desired whereby the matrices may be adjusted for fitting, air control and cleaning purposes.

Abstract: A tube-fired radiant energy heating system comprising a burner of high rated capability and having a combustion chamber which is connected to an elongate radiant energy emitter tube typically carring a directing reflector, and connected at the output end to a power exhaust fan. Fixed primary and adjustable excess air inlet means are provided at the burner unit to permit excess air to be continuously drawn around the combustion chamber and into the radiant energy heater tube to be mixed with the ignited primary fuel/air mixture at the inlet to the heater tube. This method of firing permits the construction of the apparatus using lower cost materials which, if used in a burner system fired at Stoichiometric fuel/air ratios, would be thermally oxidized and weakened. The excess air flow results in the control of the emitted air temperature to safe levels, minimizing oxidation and maintaining the high tensile strength with high BTU inputs.