HEATING ADAPTOR

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a heating adaptor device and method to use that heating adaptor device to replace a 1960-era infrared heater with a modern infrared heater while retaining a 1960-era pipe system. Without the heating adaptor device, (a) the 1960-era pipe system has to be replaced to avoid the known deleterious effects that would occur.

Claims

1. A heating adaptor device to properly replace A) a 1960-era infrared heater having a burner and a spark-generating device, wherein the burner and the spark-generating device protrude downwardly into a combustion chamber of a 1960-era pipe system, wherein the burner does not contact the pipe system's surface when the 1960-era infrared heater is securely attached to the 1960-era pipe system; with B) a modern infrared heater having a modern burner and a modern spark-generating device, wherein the modern burner and the modern spark-generating device protrude downwardly into a combustion chamber of the 1960-era pipe system, wherein the modern burner contacts the pipe system's surface when the modern infrared heater is securely attached to the 1960-era pipe system without the adaptor device; the heating adaptor device comprising: metallic structure having a predetermined height, a pair of security apertures, and a burner aperture to (a) receive the modern burner and the modern spark-generating device and (b) permit the modern burner not contact the pipe system's surface; a first gasket positioned between the adaptor device and the modern infrared heater and a second gasket positioned between the adaptor device and the combustion chamber of a 1960-era pipe system; and each security aperture extends from the metallic structures top surface to bottom surface, and has (a) a bottom opening extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface and receives a mounting stud that upwardly protrudes from the combustion chamber of a 1960-era pipe system and (b) a top opening extending from top surface toward the bottom surface, has a greater diameter than the bottom opening, and receives a securing mechanism that engages with the mounting stud to secure the modern infrared heater, the heating adaptor and the 1960-era pipe system together.

2. A method of using a heating adaptor device to properly replace A) a 1960-era infrared heater having a burner and a spark-generating device, wherein the burner and the spark-generating device protrude downwardly into a combustion chamber of a 1960-era pipe system, wherein the burner does not contact the pipe system's surface when the 1960-era infrared heater is securely attached to the 1960-era pipe system; with B) a modern infrared heater having a modern burner and a modern spark-generating device, wherein the modern burner and the modern spark-generating device protrude downwardly into a combustion chamber of the 1960-era pipe system, wherein the modern burner contacts the pipe system's surface when the modern infrared heater is securely attached to the 1960-era pipe system without the adaptor device; the heating adaptor device comprising: metallic structure having a predetermined height, a pair of security apertures, and a burner aperture to (a) receive the modern burner and the modern spark-generating device and (b) permit the modern burner not contact the pipe system's surface; a first gasket positioned between the adaptor device and the modern infrared heater and a second gasket positioned between the adaptor device and the combustion chamber of a 1960-era pipe system; and each security aperture extends from the metallic structures top surface to bottom surface, and has (a) a bottom opening extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface and receives a mounting stud that upwardly protrudes from the combustion chamber of a 1960-era pipe system and (b) a top opening extending from top surface toward the bottom surface, has a greater diameter than the bottom opening, and receives a securing mechanism that engages with the mounting stud to secure the modern infrared heater, the heating adaptor and the 1960-era pipe system together.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE FIGURES

[0014] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a 1960-era infrared heater in a 1960-era pipe system. This is prior art.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross section view of a modern infrared heater in a 1960-era pipe system. This is prior art.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a heating adaptor.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross section view of a modern infrared heater in a 1960-era pipe system with a heating adaptor.

[0018] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of FIG. 4 taken along the lines 5-5.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention is directed to a heating adaptor device and method to use that heating adaptor device to replace a 1960-era infrared heater with a modern infrared heater while retaining a 1960-era pipe system. Without the heating adaptor device, (a) the 1960-era pipe system has to be replaced to avoid the known deleterious effects that would occur.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Replacing a 1960-era infrared heater 10 for a modern infrared heater 10 while using the 1960-era pipes 6 is difficult and potentially deleterious without adding a heating adaptor 100, see FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, for the above-identified reasons.

[0021] The control adapter 100 is positioned between the securing plate 68 and the pipe 6. The heating adaptor 100, as illustrated at FIG. 3, has a burner/spark-generating aperture 102, a corresponding pair of security apertures 104, and corresponding pair of aligning apertures 106. The pair of security apertures 104 align with the pair of protrusions 681 and the pair of securing plate apertures 75 when the spark generating device 65 and the burner 25 are properly positioned in the pipe 6 and the burner/spark-generating aperture 102 as illustrated at FIG. 4.

[0022] The heating adaptor 100 raises the burner 25 of the modern infrared heater 10 from contacting or getting too close to the bottom surface of the 1960-era pipes 6. Raising the burner 25 is accomplished by the heating adaptor's height, which is about 0.5 to 2 inches in height.

[0023] Each security aperture 104, as illustrated at FIG. 4, has a top section 110 and a bottom section 112. The top section 110 has a greater diameter (DT) than the bottom section's diameter (DB). That diameter difference assists in securing heating adaptor 100, the securing plate 68 and the pipe 6 together with the above-identified securing mechanisms that normally join the securing plate 63 to the pipe 6, except the securing mechanism 679 may now be longer to accommodate the control adapter's height.

[0024] The method of utilizing this apparatus includes and is not limited to using applicant's CORAYVAC radiant heaters.

[0025] First, a person having ordinary skill in the art must recognize that a 1960-era infrared heater 10 must be replaced with a modern infrared heater 10 and a desire to continue using the 1960-era pipe system. After receiving the new modern infrared heater 10, the person then removes the 1960-era infrared heater 10 from the 1960-era pipe system (which includes the pipe 6).

[0026] Locate and obtain a modern infrared heater 10 carton and make sure all the information marked on the box matches the purchaser's order. The modern infrared heater 10 box contains a burner, accessories, filter, flexible gas line with shut off valve for US customers only (the gas lines are sold separately for some foreign customers), end vent plate, and burner door with the serial plate.

[0027] To start the assembly process, locate the modern infrared heater 10 and set it aside. Next, locate the accessory package that contains the filter door, end vent plate, necessary gasket material, screws and nuts for assembling the filter and securing the modern infrared heater 10 to the combustion chamber 68. First, assemble a filter door and attach a filter to the filter door. Locate the larger filter gasket. Peel off the backing and fix it on to the bottom of the filter. Next, locate the smaller gasket and the filter support disc. Peel off the backing and affix the gasket to the filter support disc. Insert the filter support tee end of the support through the filter door opening and lock it into place by pulling through. Next, slide the filter and gasket on the filter support. Place the filter support disc onto the filter support and secure with a wing nut. Hand tighten the filter while making sure it is positioned on the center of the filter door. If the filters and gaskets are not properly installed, unfiltered combustion air can enter the burner. Attach the filter door and the burner door with four wing screws provided. Make sure not to cross thread the screws. Hand tighten the screws. Depending upon the application, the filter door and burner door can be placed on either side of the burner.

[0028] At this point, the burner combustion chamber and the reflector with the hole must be recognized and installed before proceeding to the next step.

[0029] To attach the modern infrared heater 10 to the combustion chamber 68 of the 1960-era pipe system, place a first combustion chamber gasket 802 on top of the combustion chamber. Place the heating adaptor 100 on top of the first combustion chamber gasket 802. Then place a second combustion chamber gasket 804 on top of the heating adaptor 100. Align the two sets of slots 75 of the securing plate 688 and the security aperture 104 of the adaptor 100, on the cast iron burner head with the two protruding mounting studs 681 on the combustion chamber 68 of the pipe 6 and insert the burner head assembly 25 onto the combustion chamber. Make sure that the burner head is facing in the direction towards the vacuum pump (not shown). Place a locking washers 679 on the combustion chamber threads using 5/16th nuts to secure the burner to the combustion chamber. DO NOT over tighten.

[0030] Next, locate the end vent plate. Every burner is shipped with one end vent plate matching the burner rate. Only install the end vent on the first burner position. Disregard the end vent plate if the burner is not located at the end of the radiant branch. Verify if you have the end vent plate for your burner assembly by locating the number stamped on the end vent. The stamp number correlates with the BTU rating of the burner. For example if the burner is 40,000 btu, the number stamped on the end vent will be the number four. Using the end vent plate clips, place the u-clips through the end vent cut outs. Place the end vent plate against the combustion chamber and push the u-clips on to the combustion chamber. Make sure that the end vent plate rating is located on bottom and placing the installer.

[0031] Modern infrared heater 10 sold in the US are supplied with a flexible gas line and shut-off valve. Gas lines are sold separately for many foreign customers. The flexible gas line length is determined by the manufacturer to ensure the length is adequate for expansion and contraction. Make sure that you use the flexible gas line provided by Roberts-Gordon to ensure proper installation.

[0032] Next, attach the flexible line to the gas nipple located at the burner. The gas shut off valve, must be placed on the opposite end so the burner can be removed in the future. Use a wrench to hold the gas nipple in place and tighten the gas line. The flexible gas line must form a C shape with a 12-inch distance between ends so the flexible gas line can move freely. The gas line installation must also be parallel to the tubing run.

[0033] While the invention has been described using some specific examples, many modifications and variations are possible. It is therefore understood that the invention is not intended to be limited in any way, other than by the scope of the appended claims.