A windshield heating system includes a vehicle that has a windshield. A heat lamp unit is provided and the heat lamp unit is selectively coupled to a support and the heat lamp unit is pointed toward the windshield of the vehicle. The heat lamp unit selectively emits electromagnetic radiation to melt frozen precipitation from the windshield. A remote control is provided and the remote control may be manipulated to turn the heat lamp unit on and off.

A method and device utilizing infrared energy for heating objects, while providing energy control and enabling a decrease radiative heat flux (or intensity) of the infrared energy. An infrared emission device providing reduction of radiative heat flux or intensity from a primary emitter according to the invention may comprise a heat source, a primary emitter that emits infrared radiation of a first wavelength, and a secondary emitter that is spaced apart from the primary emitter. The secondary emitter receives infrared radiation emitted from the primary emitter and emits infrared radiation. The secondary emitter is constructed and arranged to emit infrared radiation having a wavelength that is longer than the infrared radiation of the first wavelength.

A method and device utilizing infrared energy for heating objects, while providing energy control and enabling a decrease radiative heat flux (or intensity) of the infrared energy. An infrared emission device providing reduction of radiative heat flux or intensity from a primary emitter according to the invention may comprise a heat source, a primary emitter that emits infrared radiation of a first wavelength, and a secondary emitter that is spaced apart from the primary emitter. The secondary emitter receives infrared radiation emitted from the primary emitter and emits infrared radiation. The secondary emitter is constructed and arranged to emit infrared radiation having a wavelength that is longer than the infrared radiation of the first wavelength.

An integrated electrical power supply and control system and method are provided. Such a system and method utilize energy storage, memory and a processor to provide controlled direct current (DC) energy suitable for operating narrowband semiconductor irradiation arrays according to appropriate pulse width modulation patterns to achieve cooking/heating of comestibles.

Reconfigurable assemblies include, for example, a housing assembly, a heater assembly, and an umbrella assembly. The housing assembly includes a cavity for receiving a tank. The heater assembly includes a heater, a post having a lower portion and an upper portion, and the heater attached to the upper end of the post. The umbrella assembly includes a canopy and a pole. In a first configuration the lower portion of the post of the heater assembly is operably attached to the housing assembly to define a patio heater assembly. In a second configuration the lower portion of the pole of the umbrella assembly is operably attached to the housing assembly to define a patio umbrella assembly. The heater assembly and umbrella assembly may be usable with and positioned in the center of conventional tables.

Reconfigurable assemblies include, for example, a housing assembly, a heater assembly, and an umbrella assembly. The housing assembly includes a cavity for receiving a tank. The heater assembly includes a heater, a post having a lower portion and an upper portion, and the heater attached to the upper end of the post. The umbrella assembly includes a canopy and a pole. In a first configuration the lower portion of the post of the heater assembly is operably attached to the housing assembly to define a patio heater assembly. In a second configuration the lower portion of the pole of the umbrella assembly is operably attached to the housing assembly to define a patio umbrella assembly. The heater assembly and umbrella assembly may be usable with and positioned in the center of conventional tables.

A distributed, self-organizing environment conditioning system with adaptive and learning behaviors that provide localized and targeted climate conditioning such as, but not limited to, temperature and humidity control in indoor and outdoor settings and more particularly, to extensible networked multi-modal autonomous systems of heating units working together to efficiently target objects for selective environmental control.