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: 20100147291
    Abstract: Provided is a portable heater supplied by an associated fuel source, comprising a housing, a fuel connection fitting, an orifice, a burner assembly, a regulator, a controller for selectively switching among operation states including at least a 4000 BTUs and a 9000 BTUs per hour state, a power source adapted to generate electrical power from heat, and a detector system adapted to use the electrical power generated by the power source, detect the level of a particular gas in the atmosphere, and interrupt combustion of the air-fuel mixture. A housing may comprise an air inlet and may define an interior region. A burner assembly may comprise a fuel valve adapted to control communication between the burner assembly and the associated fuel source, a venturi for mixing air and fuel into a fuel-air mixture, a combustion region adapted for the combustion of the air-fuel mixture to produce combustion products and heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Enerco Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian S. Vandrak
  • Publication number: 20100139651
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: ENERCO GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Brian S. Vandrak
  • Publication number: 20080260364
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, Dennis O'Toole
  • Publication number: 20080257877
    Abstract: A composition having a heating unit, lighting unit, or combination thereof that derives at least a portion of its operating or accessory power from an electric source that is a high capacity lithium secondary cell battery with a high charge rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, Donald C. Haney
  • Patent number: 7431748
    Abstract: A separation device for the removal of impurities extracted from a flexible conduit from a fuel such as liquefied petroleum gas is described having a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a means for channeling the fuel from the inlet onto an impingement surface in fluid communication with the fuel stream, the surface acting to condense the impurities, a gravity separation means for collecting the impurities removed from the fuel, and a means for channeling the fuel into an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Enerco Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, Carl W. Suchovsky
  • Publication number: 20080184982
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, Donald C. Haney, Dennis O'Toole
  • Patent number: 7300278
    Abstract: A portable heater adapted for use in a recreational enclosure or temporary work enclosure includes a housing having an air inlet on the lower front face. A gas supply is at least partially enclosed by the housing which provides propane to the mouth of a burner venturi located within the housing. Air is drawn through the air inlet and also enters the mouth of the burner venturi. The air and gas are mixed thoroughly as they travel upwardly through the burner venturi. A chimney effect increases fresh air flow velocity into the burner venturi and allows the heater to operate at a reduced fuel gas pressure. Upon exiting the burner venturi, the air/gas mixture is to a plenum and radiant surface where combustion takes place. Any conventional means may be provided to ignite the air/gas mixture in order to cause combustion. The combustion products deflect off a deflector, which is cooled on a rear face by air flow through the housing, which decreases the temperature of the combustion products before exiting an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Mr. Healer, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, John D. Duross, Allan L. Haire
  • Patent number: 6884065
    Abstract: A portable heater adapted for use in a recreational enclosure or temporary work enclosure includes a housing having an air inlet on the lower front face. A gas supply is partially enclosed by the housing which provides propane to the mouth of a burner venturi located within the housing. Air is drawn through the air inlet and also enters the mouth of the burner venturi. The air and gas are mixed thoroughly as they travel upwardly through the burner venturi. A chimney effect increases fresh air flow velocity into the burner venturi and allows the heater to operate at a reduced fuel gas pressure. Upon exiting the burner venturi, the air/gas mixture is to a plenum and radiant surface where combustion takes place. Any conventional means may be provided to ignite the air/gas mixture in order to cause combustion. The combustion products deflect off a deflector, which is cooled on a rear face by air flow through the housing, which decreases the temperature of the combustion products before exiting an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Mr. Heater, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, John D. DuRoss, Jr., Allan L. Haire
  • Publication number: 20040106080
    Abstract: A portable heater adapted for use in a recreational enclosure or temporary work enclosure includes a housing having an air inlet on the lower front face. A gas supply is partially enclosed by the housing which provides propane to the mouth of a burner venturi located within the housing. Air is drawn through the air inlet and also enters the mouth of the burner venturi. The air and gas are mixed thoroughly as they travel upwardly through the burner venturi. A chimney effect increases fresh air flow velocity into the burner venturi and allows the heater to operate at a reduced fuel gas pressure. Upon exiting the burner venturi, the air/gas mixture is to a plenum and radiant surface where combustion takes place. Any conventional means may be provided to ignite the air/gas mixture in order to cause combustion. The combustion products deflect off a deflector, which is cooled on a rear face by air flow through the housing, which decreases the temperature of the combustion products before exiting an outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: MR. HEATER INC.
    Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, John D. DuRoss, Allan L. Haire
  • Patent number: 6648635
    Abstract: A portable heater adapted for use in a recreational enclosure or temporary work enclosure includes a housing having an air inlet on the lower front face. A gas supply is partially enclosed by the housing which provides propane to the mouth of a burner venturi located within the housing. Air is drawn through the air inlet and also enters the mouth of the burner venturi. The air and gas are mixed thoroughly as they travel upwardly through the burner venturi. A chimney effect increases fresh air flow velocity into the burner venturi and allows the heater to operate at a reduced fuel gas pressure. Upon exiting the burner venturi, the air/gas mixture is to a plenum and radiant surface where combustion takes place. Any conventional means may be provided to ignite the air/gas mixture in order to cause combustion. The combustion products deflect off a deflector, which is cooled on a rear face by air flow through the housing, which decreases the temperature of the combustion products before exiting an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mr. Heater Corporation
    Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, John D. DuRoss, Jr., Allan L. Haire
  • Publication number: 20020058226
    Abstract: A portable heater adapted for use in a recreational enclosure or temporary work enclosure includes a housing having an air inlet on the lower front face. A gas supply is partially enclosed by the housing which provides propane to the mouth of a burner venturi located within the housing. Air is drawn through the air inlet and also enters the mouth of the burner venturi. The air and gas are mixed thoroughly as they travel upwardly through the burner venturi. A chimney effect increases fresh air flow velocity into the burner venturi and allows the heater to operate at a reduced fuel gas pressure. Upon exiting the burner venturi, the air/gas mixture is to a plenum and radiant surface where combustion takes place. Any conventional means may be provided to ignite the air/gas mixture in order to cause combustion. The combustion products deflect off a deflector, which is cooled on a rear face by air flow through the housing, which decreases the temperature of the combustion products before exiting an outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, John D. DuRoss, Allan L. Haire
  • Patent number: 6340298
    Abstract: A portable heater adapted for use in a recreational enclosure or temporary work enclosure includes a housing having an air inlet on the lower front face. A gas supply is partially enclosed by the housing which provides propane to the mouth of a burner venturi located within the housing. Air is drawn through the air inlet and also enters the mouth of the burner venturi. The air and gas are mixed thoroughly as they travel upwardly through the burner venturi. A chimney effect increases fresh air flow velocity into the burner venturi and allows the heater to operate at a reduced fuel gas pressure. Upon exiting the burner venturi, the air/gas mixture is to a plenum and radiant surface where combustion takes place. Any conventional means may be provided to ignite the air/gas mixture in order to cause combustion. The combustion products deflect off a deflector, which is cooled on a rear face by air flow through the housing, which decreases the temperature of the combustion products before exiting an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Mr. Heater Corporation
    Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, John D. DuRoss, Jr., Allan L. Haire