Abstract: A closet has the ability to dehumidify, heat and/or circulate the air therein in order to dry clothes. The dehumidification and circulation functions may be (1) included in a unitary closet structure, usable indoor or outdoor, (2) included as a modular unit for retro-fitting into an existing closet storage solution, or (3) a chassis that may be scaled and built into closets during their design and manufacture. The closet can include a sanitizing unit and may move air through a condenser, warm the dehumidified air, and deliver that treated air to a different portion of the closet, creating an air flow about the clothes hanging therein. A condensate collection unit may automatically shut down the system when a condensate reservoir is filled, thereby preventing condensate overflow. The closet may operate without the heat and/or dehumidification function, where external air may be circulated in and out of the closet.

Abstract: A portable heater provided with one or more pre-start indicator elements. The pre-start indicator element may emit an attention identifier indicative of the imminent start of heat production of the portable heater. The indicator element may be an audible and/or visual indicator element. The pre-start indicator element may alert during one or both of a manual and thermostat operation mode of a portable heater.

Abstract: A heater can be configured to operate with either a first fuel at a first pressure or a second fuel at a second pressure. In some embodiments, a pressure regulator unit is configured to regulate the pressure of either the first fuel or the second fuel and to direct either the first fuel or the second fuel towards a combustion chamber. A nozzle assembly can be configured to inject the fuel into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a valve assembly can comprise a housing, a valve body and a nozzle. The housing can define a first inlet and a second inlet. The valve body can be positioned within the housing and configured to rotate between a first position for a first fuel type and a second position for a second fuel type different from the first. A control knob is operatively coupled to the valve body and to an air shutter such that rotation of the control knob controls the state of the valve body and the position of the air shutter.

Abstract: A portable heating unit is provided with an elongated housing and a tray. The tray may be positioned above the housing. The tray may be secured to a handle of the portable unit along with the housing of the portable heating unit. The tray may also include sloping surfaces of the tray bottom wall and dividers separating compartments of the tray. The tray may also narrow in the direction of airflow from the inlet end to the outlet end of the housing.

Abstract: An elongated housing of a portable forced air unit is provided with a combustion chamber located therein. One or more side covers of the controls compartment protects the compartment from weather or more specifically water related damage or malfunction. The one or more side covers direct external water away from the controls compartment and may also direct internal water within the controls compartment away from electronic devices contained therein. A successive higher overlapping of the housing, one or more side covers, and the fuel tank assembly may cascade external water away from the unit.

Abstract: A portable forced air unit is provided with an elongated housing. A portion of the housing may include a divergent section or expansion area in the direction of the forced air flow of the unit. The airflow cooling channel defined within the divergent section increases in size in the direction of flow. The divergent section may have one or more apertures therethrough. The divergent section may be positioned adjacent the fuel source. A converging area or outlet section of the housing may taper in the direction of air flow of the unit. The taper of the housing outlet section may be a variety of shapes. The airflow cooling channel defined within the outlet section reduces in size in the direction of flow.

Abstract: A valve assembly can include a housing, which can define a first fuel input for receiving a first fuel from a first fuel source and a second fuel input for receiving a second fuel from a second fuel source. The housing can define a first fuel output for directing fuel toward a control valve, and can define a third fuel input for receiving a portion of either the first fuel or the second fuel from the control valve. The housing can define a first egress flow path and a second egress flow path, each for directing fuel to the burner. In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a valve body configured to selectively permit fluid communication between the first and second inputs and the output and between the third input and the egress flow paths.

Abstract: A heating apparatus may include a control valve assembly. A control valve assembly can have a housing and a valve body positioned within the housing. The housing can define an inlet and first and second outlets. The control valve assembly can also include an igniter having a sensor for firing an electrode. An extension can be used to activate the sensor and to thereby activate the igniter.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a valve assembly can comprise a housing, a valve body, a first burner nozzle member and a second burner nozzle member. The housing can define an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) inlet and a burner inlet. The valve body can be positioned within the housing and configured to rotate between a first position for a first fuel type and a second position for a second fuel type different from the first.

Abstract: A heater can be configured to operate with either a first fuel at a first pressure or a second fuel at a second pressure. In some embodiments, a pressure regulator unit is configured to regulate the pressure of either the first fuel or the second fuel and to direct either the first fuel or the second fuel towards a combustion chamber. A nozzle assembly can be configured to inject the fuel into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A low pressure forced air heater is provided having a variable speed motor driving a fan and a compressor. An amount of the pneumatic output from the compressor is communicated through an air bleed valve and the remainder is communicated through an air output orifice. The air output orifice is in communication with a fuel nozzle and causes fuel to be drawn from a tank, atomized and combusted in a combustion chamber.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a valve assembly can comprise a housing, a valve body and a nozzle. The housing can define a first inlet and a second inlet. The valve body can be positioned within the housing and configured to rotate between a first position for a first fuel type and a second position for a second fuel type different from the first. A control knob is operatively coupled to the valve body and to an air shutter such that rotation of the control knob controls the state of the valve body and the position of the air shutter.

Abstract: A heater can be configured to operate with either a first fuel at a first pressure or a second fuel at a second pressure. In some embodiments, a pressure regulator unit is configured to regulate the pressure of either the first fuel or the second fuel and to direct either the first fuel or the second fuel towards a combustion chamber. A nozzle assembly can be configured to inject the fuel into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A forced air heater is described having a plurality of combustion zones and an interceding cooling zone with active cooling devices. Catalytic oxidation may be implemented in the combustion zone whereby efficiency is increased by cooling the combustion products and outflow to more efficient temperatures. The catalytic bed of the combustion zone may be placed downstream of the cooling and primary combustion zone to remove noxious combustion by-products and an afterburner may also be included.

Abstract: A low pressure heater control system. In some embodiments a control is in electrical communication with a sensor having a view of a combustion chamber. The control calculates an average sensor value over each of a plurality of brief sampling periods based on a plurality of readings from the sensor. In some embodiments a reference point that may be at least based in part on an average of a plurality of average optical sensor values from earlier brief sampling periods is calculated and compared against the average optical sensor value from a recent brief sampling period to monitor for an abrupt combustion change. In some embodiments a peak-to-peak optical sensor value is also calculated over each of a plurality of brief sampling periods. In some embodiments the type of fuel being combusted is recognized and/or the fuel level approximated based on measured average and/or peak-to-peak optical sensor values.