Patents by Inventor Brian S. Vandrak
Brian S. Vandrak has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20140209085Abstract: A heating device may comprise a control assembly having a self-contained, on board power supply. A control unit may control the operation of the heater and the power supply may comprise a first power source in electrical communication with the control unit, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the first power source to selectively supply electrical power to at least a portion of the heating device; and, a second power source in electrical communication with the control unit, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the second power source to selectively supply electrical power to at least a portion of the heating device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2011Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Enerco Group, Inc.Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, Dennis O'Toole
-
Publication number: 20140175184Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a portable heating device comprising a combustion-powered heater, a regulator, and an air quality detector, such as an oxygen depletion sensor. The combustion-powered heater may be supplied by an associated fuel source and may comprise a combustion region comprising a catalytic surface. The regulator may be adapted for fluid communication with the associated fuel source. The air quality detector may comprise a burner and a temperature detector. The burner may be in fluid communication with the regulator and may be adapted to combust fuel form the regulator with air to produce a flame. The temperature detector may be adapted to detect the temperature of the flame and may be adapted to selectively render the combustion-powered heater non-functional.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2014Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: ENERCO GROUP, INC.Inventor: Brian S. Vandrak
-
Patent number: 8684276Abstract: Provided is a portable heating device comprising a combustion-powered heater, a regulator, and an oxygen depletion sensor. The combustion-powered heater may be supplied by an associated fuel source and may comprise a combustion region comprising a catalytic surface. The regulator may be adapted for fluid communication with the associated fuel source. The oxygen depletion sensor may comprise a burner and a temperature detector. The burner may be in fluid communication with the regulator and may be adapted to combust fuel form the regulator with air to produce a flame. The temperature detector may be adapted to detect the temperature of the flame and may be adapted to selectively render the combustion-powered heater non-functional.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Enerco Group, Inc.Inventor: Brian S. Vandrak
-
Patent number: 8494350Abstract: A forced-air heater having a self-contained on-board electric-power supply that allows the forced-air heater to operate without an external electric power source; a fuel tank; a combustion chamber; a support; a housing including upper and lower housing portions; a motorized fan that during operation draws in ambient air through an air intake and forces air into the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Enerco Group, Inc.Inventors: Dennis O'Toole, Brian S. Vandrak
-
Patent number: 8487221Abstract: A portable combined heating and lighting unit comprising a first element and a second element for generating thermal or light energy, and a component to convert thermal or light energy into electricity. The first element generates thermal or light energy from combustion of fuel. The second element generates thermal or light energy from electricity.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Enerco Group, Inc.Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, Donald C. Haney
-
Patent number: 8434469Abstract: A portable radiant heater supplied by an associated fuel source comprises a housing having a handle for transporting the heater. A plenum in the housing receives fuel from the associated fuel source and mixes the fuel with air. A burner assembly includes a radiant surface that communicates with the plenum. A regulator limits the pressure of the associated propane source to approximately eleven inches water column, and an oxygen depletion system associated with the burner assembly automatically shuts off the heater at a predetermined oxygen content. A tank fitting with a position that can be adjusted relative to the regulator facilitates the installation of the associated fuel source to the heater.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2007Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Enerco Group Inc.Inventor: Brian S. Vandrak
-
Publication number: 20130008423Abstract: A forced-air heater having a self-contained on-board electric-power supply, a fuel tank, a support, a housing, a combustion chamber, and a motorized fan. The self-contained on-board electric-power supply may have a generator, a photovoltaic component, or some combination thereof. The fuel tank may be adapted to store a first fuel. The combustion chamber may be adapted to generate heat by combusting the first fuel with air. The motorized fan may be adapted to draw in ambient air through an air intake and force the air into the combustion chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: ENERCO GROUP, INC.Inventors: Nathan Noble, Brian S. Vandrak, Jeff Bush
-
Publication number: 20120180784Abstract: A portable radiant heater supplied by an associated fuel source comprises a housing having a handle for transporting the heater. A plenum in the housing receives fuel from the associated fuel source and mixes the fuel with air. A burner assembly includes a radiant surface that communicates with the plenum. A regulator limits the pressure of the associated propane source to approximately eleven inches water column, and an oxygen depletion system associated with the burner assembly automatically shuts off the heater at a predetermined oxygen content. A tank fitting with a position that can be adjusted relative to the regulator facilitates the installation of the associated fuel source to the heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2012Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: ENERCO GROUP, INC.Inventor: Brian S. Vandrak
-
Publication number: 20120094244Abstract: Provided is an assembly comprising a combustion-powered heater, a target component, and a transducer operatively engaged with said target component. A combustion-powered heater may comprise a combustion site adapted to power said heater. A target component may be engaged with the combustion site. A transducer may be adapted to measure the temperature of the target component and adapted to shut-down said combustion-powered heater in response to a temperature measurement of less than a temperature limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: ENERCO GROUP, INC.Inventor: Brian S. Vandrak
-
Publication number: 20120094242Abstract: Provided is a multiple fuel manifold system. A multiple fuel manifold system may be adapted for operation engagement with a first associated fluid fuel source and a second associated fluid fuel source. A multiple fuel manifold system may be further adapted for engagement with a burner. A multiple fuel manifold system may comprise a first manifold and a second manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: Enerco Group, Inc.Inventors: Brian Streisel, Brian S. Vandrak
-
Publication number: 20120031397Abstract: Provided is a fuel conversion system adapted for operation engagement with either of a first associated fluid fuel source or a second associated fluid fuel source. The fuel conversion system may comprise a convertible regulator, a fuel distribution, and a transmission. A convertible regulator may be adapted to receive either a first fluid fuel or a second fluid fuel. A fuel distribution valve may be operatively engaged with said convertible regulator. A transmission may be operatively engaged to said fuel distribution valve and operatively engaged with the convertible regulator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: Enerco Group, Inc.Inventors: Brian Streisel, Brian S. Vandrak, Liang Jianhui
-
Publication number: 20120012574Abstract: A portable combined heating and lighting unit comprising a first element and a second element for generating thermal or light energy, and a component to convert thermal or light energy into electricity. The first element generates thermal or light energy from combustion of fuel. The second element generates thermal or light energy from electricity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: Enerco Group, Inc.Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, Donald C. Haney
-
Publication number: 20110290345Abstract: Provided is a temperature-sensitive fluid flow interruption device for use in operational connection with a normally-closed poppet openable by overcoming a closure force. The device may comprise an elongated housing, an elongated displacement member, a spring, and a retention cap. An elongated housing may comprise an elongated first channel. An elongated displacement member may be engaged with said elongated first channel and may comprise a longitudinal axis, a first spring retention surface, and a poppet engageable end. The poppet engageable end may be adapted for engagement with said poppet and may be engaged with the housing in a manner determined by the temperature of the temperature-sensitive fluid flow interruption device with respect to a predetermined temperature. A spring may be engaged with the first retention surface. A retention cap may be engaged with the housing and may comprise a second retention surface engaged with the spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2010Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: ENERCO GROUP, INC.Inventor: Brian S. Vandrak
-
Patent number: 8068724Abstract: A forced-air heater having a self-contained on-board electric-power supply that allows the forced-air heater to operate without an external electric power source; a fuel tank; a combustion chamber; a support; a housing including upper and lower housing portions; a motorized fan that during operation draws in ambient air through an air intake and forces air into the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2007Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Enerco Group, Inc.Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, Dennis O'Toole
-
Patent number: 8053709Abstract: A portable heating or lighting unit may comprise a housing, a handle, a shield or grid, a source of electric energy, a rectifier, an electrical device adapted to use electrical energy from the source of electric energy, and a control system comprising control hardware and embedded software, where the control system may be adapted to automatically control the electric heating element. A source of electric energy may comprise a battery adapted to store energy and to output stored energy as electrical energy, a fuel cell, a thermoelectric component, or a plug adapted to draw electrical energy from a wall outlet or other source of electrical energy. A battery may be at least partially enclosed by the housing. A thermoelectric component may comprise a thermoelectric material or a thermoelectric generator. An electrical device may comprise a resistive heating element adapted to emit thermal energy.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2007Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Enerco Group, Inc.Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, Donald C. Haney
-
Publication number: 20110268429Abstract: A forced-air heater having a self-contained on-board electric-power supply that allows the forced-air heater to operate without an external electric power source; a fuel tank; a combustion chamber; a support; a housing including upper and lower housing portions; a motorized fan that during operation draws in ambient air through an air intake and forces air into the combustion chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: Enerco Group, Inc.Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, Dennis O' Toole
-
Publication number: 20110265779Abstract: A heating device may comprise a control assembly having a self-contained, on board power supply. A control unit may control the operation of the heater and the power supply may comprise a first power source in electrical communication with the control unit, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the first power source to selectively supply electrical power to at least a portion of the heating device; and, a second power source in electrical communication with the control unit, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the second power source to selectively supply electrical power to at least a portion of the heating device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: Enerco Group, Inc.Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, Dennis O'Toole
-
Publication number: 20110045417Abstract: Provided is an assembly comprising a combustion-powered heater, a target component, and a transducer operatively engaged with said target component. A combustion-powered heater may comprise a combustion site adapted to power said heater. A target component may be engaged with the combustion site. A transducer may be adapted to measure the temperature of the target component and adapted to shut-down said combustion-powered heater in response to a temperature measurement of less than a temperature limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: Enerco Group, Inc.Inventor: Brian S. Vandrak
-
Publication number: 20110042472Abstract: Provided is a portable heating device comprising a combustion-powered heater, a regulator, and an oxygen depletion sensor. The combustion-powered heater may be supplied by an associated fuel source and may comprise a combustion region comprising a catalytic surface. The regulator may be adapted for fluid communication with the associated fuel source. The oxygen depletion sensor may comprise a burner and a temperature detector. The burner may be in fluid communication with the regulator and may be adapted to combust fuel form the regulator with air to produce a flame. The temperature detector may be adapted to detect the temperature of the flame and may be adapted to selectively render the combustion-powered heater non-functional.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: Enerco Group, Inc.Inventor: Brian S. Vandrak
-
Patent number: 7823579Abstract: A vertically storable combustion heater having a fuel tank having a generally-cylindrical passage formed in the fuel-tank housing through which an axle extends to support one or more wheels; a heating conduit that is coupled to the fuel tank and includes an outermost shell that is substantially concentric with an inner shell that has a smaller diameter than the outermost shell; a control panel that is connected to the combustion heater to interface with an operator and allows the operator to input instructions governing the operation of the combustion heater; a frame that at least partially encases the heating conduit and fuel tank; a hose having a return curve and nozzle; and a combustion chamber that is defined by the interior periphery of the inner shell.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2007Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Enerco Group, IncInventors: Brian S. Vandrak, Donald C. Haney, Dennis O'Toole