Abstract: An exemplary temperature control system for animal confinement buildings includes an agricultural heater and a ventilation system. The agricultural heater is modified to be a variable rate heater using SmartBox technology or by applying appropriate control logic and outputs to a conventional room controller. A heat on/off relay of the room controller can serve as an enable signal connected to the SmartBox. Heating is controlled using a proportional-plus-integral algorithm for error correction. Error correction may be ceased when temperatures fall within a dead band. Heat is turned on when the temperature drops to an on temperature equal to a set point minus 0.5F. Heat can be turned off when the heater has been at a minimum output level for a minimum output period (such as 90 seconds) and the temperature has not dropped below the on temperature during the minimum output period. An auto-variable radiant brooder may be incorporated.

Abstract: A radiant tube heater, primarily for agricultural buildings and preferably intended for poultry breeding buildings, includes a burner box or heat creator, which is an enclosure with pressurized and non-pressurized sides, a gas control valve and orifice assembly; ignition control and components, a burner assembly, and an air proving switch. Attached to the burner box is a heat distributor which includes a radiant heating tube unit. The radiant heating tube unit is comprised of an elongated two-section tube extending from the burner box, wherein the first tube has a round cross section and a cross section having a diameter less than the width of the second tube. The second tube is characterized by having a non-round or oblong, preferably oval cross section, wherein one set of opposing sides of the oblong tube are longer than the ends of the tube. A transition piece connects the first tube with the section tube. An open reflector is situated for reflecting the radiant heat to a desired location.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (10) for transferring heat between intake air and exhaust air is disclosed. The heat exchanger (10) includes a plurality of ducts (11) having open first and second ends (11c and 11d). The ducts (11) are connected in a vertical space relationship to one another defining therewith two sets of channels. A first set of channels (11a) being inside the ducts (11) and a second set of channels (11b) being between the ducts (11). Intake air passes through the first set of channels (11a) and exhaust air passes through the second set of channels (11b). The air flow in the second set of channels (11b) is confined. The heat exchanger has a releasably attached bottom (24), whereby when the bottom (24) is released, there is ready access to clean said second set of channels (11b) between the ducts (11). Also, the intake air and exhaust air enter and an exit through their respective sets of channels without mixing.

Abstract: A device for controlling the temperature and the humidity of the air in a barn has a thermostat, humidistat, heater and damper to maintain the desired proper temperature and humidity conditions for animal housing. The temperature is held at a desired level by the thermostat which monitors the temperature and heats and circulates the existing air in the barn as required. In addition, the humidistat initiates a process of heating outside air and supplying of heated dry air to the barn in response to abnormally high humidity conditions and thereby maintains the desired optimum temperature and humidity conditions.