Abstract: A burner head assembly for a burner includes a housing having a hollow interior and an exterior. There is a control module within the hollow interior. The module has internal connectors within the hollow interior and external connectors on the exterior of the housing, whereby electrical connections to the module can be made internally and externally with respect to the housing without requiring apertures in the housing and wiring extending through the apertures. For example, the control module may include a circuit board, the circuit board having a portion within the hollow interior and which extends to the exterior. The exterior and interior connectors are connected to the circuit board. The housing may have two portions, the control module being fitted between the two portions of the housing. Preferably the control module is sealingly received between the two portions of the housing.

Abstract: A heater for a liquid has a combustion chamber, a jacket for the liquid extending about the combustion chamber and a burner head assembly connected to the combustion chamber. The burner head assembly includes a housing having a burner mounted thereon and a hollow interior. A control module and a fan are mounted in the hollow interior, the fan being connected to an electric motor. A compressor and a fuel pump are mounted on the housing and are operatively connected to the electric motor. The control module may include controls for exercising components of the heater prior to combustion, thereby verifying operation of these components. Preferably there is a speed control for the motor, such as a closed loop speed control which regulates motor speed and accordingly output of the heater. Preferably there is a backup system using a lookup table in the event that the closed loop speed control fails.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for maintaining a temperature between a first value and a second value. The method and apparatus utilize a heat transfer device capable of cycling through a series of cycles, the device being capable of changing the temperature from the second value to the first value when operational. During each cycle the device transfers heat for a first period of time when the temperature reaches the second volume until the first value is reached and thereafter the device stops transferring heat. The first period of time is compared to a desired cycle-on period of time during each cycle and the second temperature value then is adjusted for a subsequent cycle of the device so the first period of time when the device transfers heat approaches the desired cycle-on period of time. There may also be provided temperature controls for a liquid heater having a jacket containing the liquid. The jacket has an inner heated wall and an outer wall spaced apart from the inner wall.

Abstract: A stove apparatus includes a frame having an interior opening. A burner is mounted within the opening. A liquid fuel container is mounted on the frame within the opening. A fuel conduit extends between the container and the burner. A heat shield extends about the burner and separates the burner from the fuel container. Preferably the apparatus has a manually operable device which simultaneously regulates a valve controlling a flow of fuel from the fuel container to the burner and a control device controlling the output of a compressor supplying compressed air to the burner. The compressor may have a suction port. The apparatus then includes a suction conduit connecting the suction port to the fuel container, whereby the compressor can selectively draw fuel into the container. The fuel container may have a vent body mounted thereon. The suction conduit is connected to the vent body. The body has a valve for preventing fuel from entering the conduit from the container.

Abstract: A supplementary vehicle heater is provided which includes a bumer, a heat exchanger, a coolant conduit connected to the heat exchanger and a coolant pump connected to the conduit. There are controls which are operatively connected to the burner and the coolant pump which operate the heater in a first mode when the engine is stopped to preheat the engine or keep the engine warm. The controls operate the heater in a second mode when the engine is running to improve heating of vehicle interior. Preferably the controls include automatic controls which engine coolant temperature. The controls cause the burner and pump to function when the engine is running and the coolant temperature is below preset temperature.

Abstract: A supplementary vehicle heater is provided which includes a burner, a heat exchanger, a coolant conduit connected to the heat exchanger and a coolant pump connected to the conduit. There are controls which are operatively connected to the burner and the coolant pump which operate the heater in a first mode when the engine is stopped to preheat the engine or keep the engine warm. The controls operate the heater in a second mode when the engine is running to improve heating of vehicle interior. Preferably the controls include automatic controls which engine coolant temperature. The controls cause the burner and pump to function when the engine is running and the coolant temperature is below preset temperature.