Abstract: An improved radiant heater for use in dusty environments and at low gas pressures. An open throat, single port burner, which is not subject to obstruction in dusty environments, directs combustion products vertically from a lower fuel input end to an upper flame-emanating end. The burner is adjustably mounted to a base unit so that air entrainment into the burner may be controlled by adjusting the distance between the base unit and the burner fuel input end. The burner conductance may be adjusted to operate at varying fuel input fluxes by attaching an area reduction means to the burner. The burner flame emanating end is directed into a combustion chamber which absorbs the heat generated by combustion and radiates the absorbed heat into the ambient. The lower surface of the combustion chamber has an aperture for receiving the burner flame emanating end, and acts as a heat shield. Control components, such as control circuitry and a fuel valve, are housed within the base unit, further shielding them from heat.

Abstract: A poultry brooder pilot burner is provided wherein a pilot body removably mounts onto a mounting and attachment stud under pressure of a spring washer. Inwardly projecting pins traverse flat areas of the mounting stud to enter a circumferential channel and, upon rotating the pilot body, engage detents under pressure of the spring washer to secure the removable pilot body in place. A safety circuit thermocouple is disposed above and to the side of the pilot burner such that the thermocouple detects only such pilot flame as is capable of igniting the main gas burner.

Abstract: A poultry brooder having a ceramic radiant element with protrusions and protrusion connectors forming spiral channels to lengthen the path of flowing gases from the closed center to the edge of the radiant and to impede the gaseous flow by turbulence. An insulator reduces undirected heat loss through the rear surface of the ceramic radiant and an electronic direct spark ignition system conserves fuel consumption and makes the brooder more reliable.

Abstract: A poultry brooder (10) having a ceramic radiant element (12) with protrusions (14) and protrusion connectors (16) forming spiral channels (18) to lengthen the path of flowing gases from closed center (34) to the edge of the radiant and to impede the gaseous flow by turbulence. An insulator (26) reduces heat loss through the rear surface (42) of the ceramic radiant and an adjustable temperature sensing element support bracket (32) allows selection of a variety of temperature sensing positions.

Abstract: A poultry brooder (10) having a ceramic radiant element (12) with protrusions (14) and protrusion connectors (16) forming spiral channels (18) to lengthen the path of flowing gases from closed center (34) to the edge of the radiant and to impede the gaseous flow by turbulence. An insulator (26) reduces heat loss through the rear surface (42) of the ceramic radiant and an adjustable temperature sensing element support bracket (32) allows selection of a variety of temperature sensing positions.