Abstract: A burner unit comprising three simple subassemblies which may be readily assembled to form the completed burner unit. The subassemblies include a front housing assembly including a front disk and a front tube; a back housing assembly including a back disk and a back tube; and a burner subassembly including a burner nozzle and a control assembly offset with respect to the central axis of the burner nozzle.

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: A burner unit comprising three simple subassemblies which may be readily assembled to form the completed burner unit. The subassemblies include a front housing assembly including a front disk and a front tube; a back housing assembly including a back disk and a back tube; and a burner subassembly including a burner nozzle and a control assembly offset with respect to the central axis of the burner nozzle.

Abstract: An insulated reflector for a low-intensity radiant energy heating system. Several embodiments are disclosed. In one embodiment, the reflector forms a chamber which is used to preheat fresh air admitted to the heated area.

Abstract: A low intensity infrared radiant heating system comprising an exhaust effluent temperature sensor for disabling burner operations to keep thermal operating efficiences within preselected limits. A minimum burner run timer is used to avoid corrosive condensate accumulation in the primary emitter length. Multiple burner systems utilizing a microprocessor control system is disclosed.

Abstract: A relatively low temperature, low-intensity infrared heating system in which at least a substantial portion of the effluent in the emitter tube is recirculated and mixed with the hot effluent from the burner of burners to produce a uniform system temperature. A relatively long low-temperature exhaust leg is utilized to increase thermal efficiency. The burner or burners receive combustion air from outside the enclosure and valves are used to prevent reverse flow.

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.

Abstract: A high performance ventilation system with .[.means.]. .Iadd.provisions .Iaddend.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.