Abstract: A spark ignited, gas fueled pilot assembly compromising a bracket and a metal gas tube extending through the bracket and having an outlet end. The gas tube is surrounded by a ceramic jacket which is of such a length as to extend beyond the outlet end of the gas tube by approximately 0.03? such that the gas tube outlet is recessed into the ceramic jacket. The assembly further comprises a pair of ignitor electrodes carried by the bracket and arranged and located relative to the recessed gas supply tube to ignite fuel emanating therefrom.

Abstract: A thimble shaped burner is made of a porous foam metal material and is adapted to be mounted on the interior of a plenum chamber receiving a fuel/air mixture under pressure. The fuel/air mixture infuses into the interior of the thimble shaped burner body and exits from it through a burner port in a support structure where the fuel/air mixture that has been infused through the burner body is ignited. The burners are typically used in multiples and are mounted by means conventional fasteners passing through reinforced mounting flanges on the interior of an air fuel plenum chamber. Flame lift off is reduced or eliminated by particular configurations and dimensions of annular metal washers that are used in association with the burner bodies for mounting purposes.

Abstract: A gas-fired, powered infrared burner unit comprising a perforate distribution plate configured as a tray and a porous foam metal burner element carried in the tray, the combination overlying the open top of a plenum box and sealingly fastened to an edge flange of said box by a retainer having a surrounding flange fastened to the plenum box flange by welding, staking or other means so as to eliminate the need for a gasket. The foam metal medium is constructed of a foam metal alloy to have a pore size of 1000 micros±5%, and produce, along with the perforations in the distribution tray, a port loading of between about 850 and 1,000 BTU/in2.

Abstract: A radiant heater including a burner having an inlet for receiving an air and gas mixture and an exhaust for emitting exhaust gases generated by combustion of the air and gas mixture within the burner, an elongated radiant heating tube having an inlet for receiving the exhaust gases emitted by the burner, a gas flow control assembly for controlling the flow of gas to the burner, and a blower for controlling the flow of air to the burner. The blower comprises a two-stage blower including a motor having a low winding corresponding to a low blower speed and a high winding corresponding to a high blower speed. The gas flow control assembly comprises a two-stage regulator or two-stage valve having a low setting for delivering a low gas flow to the burner and a high setting for delivering a high gas flow to the burner.

Abstract: A radiant heating system including at least one gas burner and at least one conduit connected to the at least one burner on one end and connected to at least one exhaust tube at an opposite end for transporting hot exhaust gas. Heat is transferred via conduction to an external surface of the conduit. The heat is then radiated omnidirectionaly from the external surface of the conduit as infrared rays. A fan directs a stream of air across the external surface of the conduit to cool the conduit allowing the at least one burner to operate continuously for longer periods of time.

Abstract: A fuel enriched ignitor for a fuel gas burner appliance wherein a fuel enricher tube is provided with a coupling having a threaded insert which, by way of a metering orifice, matches the enricher tube to the particular fuel gas being used. By both two-element and three-element ignitors are disclosed. The ignitor is also illustrated in a gas supply system having a single main valve which serves both the enricher tube and the primary appliance burner.

Abstract: A compact gas-fired radiant space heater is adapted for residential use, having an output in the 20k BTU to 40k BTU/hr range and exterior dimensions small enough to allow it to be installed in a standard two foot by four foot suspended ceiling opening. A radiator tube having a total length of approximately 15 feet is bent into a serpentine shape, and combustion control components are housed within a plenum chamber supplying combustion air to the tube, both the tube and the chamber being encircled by a frame that fits within the two foot by four foot opening. The combustion control components are attached to a chassis plate whereby the components are removable from the plenum chamber as a unit to enhance serviceability of the heater. A burner venturi of novel configuration produces a flame that is less than four feet long yet which is relatively quiet.

Abstract: A gas fired radiant griddle assembly employing a series of perforated ceramic tiles to define a burner surface positioned beneath the griddle. The center area of the assembled ceramic tiles is blocked off so as to define an annular burner surface to minimize the temperature gradient across the griddle surface and the hot combustion effluents are drawn by convection beneath the griddle surface and out the rear corners of the combustion chamber beneath the griddle to heat the peripheral and corner portions of the griddle and further minimize the temperature gradient across the expanse of the griddle.

Abstract: An infrared heat device utilizing a ceramic burner tile operating in a confined combustion chamber. Inlet gas flow, metered by an orifice, is boosted as required by the air pressure provided in at least approximately Stoichiometric ratio to compensate for increased back pressure.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for use with a portable oven. The disclosed heat exchanger maximizes the conversion of heat caloric content of a combustible fuel to useable heat energy. A gas fueled infra-red burner mounted above the heat exchanger directs radiant energy toward a metal plate which also is contacted by waste or effluent from the burner. The metal plate in turn transmits heat by conduction to a sealed passageway or flow path through which air circulates on its way to the oven. By heating the plate with both effluent and radiation approximately 70% of the heat caloric content of the gas fuel is converted to heat energy for heating air in the passageway. Use of a sealed passageway allows conditions inside the oven to be controlled to make the oven suitable for use as a test oven.